Dear Rabbi,
My dog is becoming very ill and the vet said I should consider putting him down. He is almost 15 years old, is blind, has fluid/blood on his lungs, congestive heart failure, and is confused at night. On the other hand he still eats well, is able to take himself outside to the toilet and can go on small walks.
He is sometimes in terrible anxiety and other times is quite ok.
I would be grateful if you could please advise me on the Halacha regarding euthanasing one’s pet. What circumstances is it permitted?
I look forward to your earliest response
Shmuli Cohen
Perth Western Australia
It is permitted to put down the dog in a manner that won’t cause it to suffer.
Unlike human beings, the principle prohibition with regard to animals is causing them pain and suffering.
It is of course permitted to kill animals for the purpose of human consumption, and many authorities rule that the prohibition of causing an animal suffering does not apply to actually killing the animal (see Maharshal, Yam Shel Shlomo, Bava Kama 10:38; Noda Biyhuda 2, Yoreh De’ah 10; Taz, Yoreh De’ah 116:6; Avodas Ha-Gershuni 13; among others).
Although some authorities are stringent about this matter (see Sha’ul U-Meishiv II, Vol. 3, no. 5), where putting down the dog is for the dog’s own benefit, all will agree that it is permitted (the more so where it is also the owner’s benefit).
See also Techumin 10, p. 258.
Best wishes.
Thankyou Rabi for your response. I understand that we must not allow our pets to suffer, but how do we define this term, ‘suffering’? Is it wholly subjective or is there a test to measure the suffering of an animal, like a vet does to grade heart failure?
Suffering is essentially subjective: If we know that an animal is suffering, we must prevent the situation. However, it is often difficult to know the subjective feelings of an animal, and we have to rely on general principles that indicate an animal’s suffering. There is some discussion concerning insects, and it is possible that their systems are not developed enough for the definition of ‘suffering’.
Best wishes.
Leave a comment