Euthanasia - Legal vs Ethical

I write this with a conflicting mind.

Sparking off with Singapore's polar bear death, it triggered me to think and question the logic and reason behind euthanising a species which is non-human. Actually, it has been in my head since I came to understand the concept of euthanising. Thereafter I questioned myself if we as human beings had the right to put down an animal just solely because "we own it and we love it and it's for their own good".

But I'm not writing to condone the behaviour of putting down the polar bear don't get me wrong. It is questioning euthanasia in general. As a whole. As an option.

Euthanising has been a topic for debate since years ago - only certain countries made it legal to euthanise a human being.

I quote from Google: Euthanasia - the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma.

Animals are capable of feeling emotions- dog wags its tail when it's happy. A cat hisses when it's aggressive. Bettas flare when they feel threatened. These are known facts since we have interacted with animals of all kinds. They are able to at the very least, experience simple emotions - happy, stressed, threatened, excitement.

Humans and several other species of animals (dolphins, elephants, primates for example) tend to experience a more complicated spectrum of emotions. We feel guilt. We cry when we watch movies. We feel touched when someone does something nice for us. We plan and look forward to holidays. We understand the concept of time. This capability allows us to experience emotions that some animals will never experience or even know of its existence. Your dog wouldn't cry joy of tears seeing you take a day off work, and surprise! You're baking dog cookies for him - maybe your girlfriend would.

We've seen documentaries and some in real life too - gazelle escapes a crocodile attack despite being severly injured. Runs off to join the group and hope it doesn't die. OR
Insects still trying to run the hell out of your hot soup even though 4 of its legs are in it.

My bottomline - their basic instinct is to survive.

Another concept is the ability to look forward into the future. We would've felt unhappy if we didn't manage to earn a high salary or travelled to a dream country before we died. We are capable of envisioning the future and make it something which would make our lives "fulfilling". Animals wouldn't consider themselves living a "fulfilled" life until they say, have a grandson pup. Or finally able to see their owner's wedding. They don't. They live in the present. Your dog feels happy doing a trick for you and gets the biscuit as a reward. It's happiness exists in the CURRENT. It doesn't feel sad or remorseful because it chewed on your carpet 10 minutes ago. They can't comprehend what is in the future and what "life purpose" they should fulfil. Their basic instinct, is simply, to live.

Yes, to counter that, some animals do harvest food and stash them away for winter periods. Or birds migrating to another country to avoid harsh seasonal changes. But that isn't about looking forward or fulfilling their life purpose. That is also Nature's way of basic survival instincts which is hard-wired in certain species so that the species can survive and continue to reproduce. It has nothing to do with us humans planning a trip 3 months down the road to Disneyland.

Which is why I feel that Euthanasia, a concept invented by humans, should it be enforced upon the species which don't have the capability to comprehend the same kind of emotions we have?

I agree, people put their dogs down when it's in pain and it's the most logical way to do that. Yes it helps. It helps so that you don't have to see it being in pain again. But what if that animal simply just wants to live and doesn't think like you do?

People will argue back, "what if it wants to die?" Well, since no one can confirm that other than the animal itself, why can't they just die naturally? They wouldn't know there is an option of euthanasia that's for sure. So why enforce it on the animal?

That being said, it is just the cynical side of me debating with myself. Of course, given certain circumstances, putting an animal to sleep will be the most logical solution. But whether or not it is ethical, I wouldn't say for sure.

I wouldn't curse the hell out of somebody if they decide it's the best for their pet. I'd respect that. Euthanasia may be legal, but is it ethical?