Do former animal abusers deserve a second chance and own a pet?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to buy a cat as my very first pet.

I do admit to having a very dark past with animals during my younger years. My terrible upbringing was part of the reason. It's been 9 years since I haven't hurt a single animal. I'm nearly 20 now and this to me feels like my second chance.

I don't mind if any of you think differently. What is your opinion on this? Do you think a former, repetitive animal abuser deserve a second chance to work with animals or own a pet?

Yes

No

Updates

+1 y

Sadly, I did killed several animals at the time too.

[Whatthefluff]

Everyone deserves second chances. You have obviously matured and become more conscious than you were as a nine-year-old. Although the past cannot be changed, you should be proud about how you have changed for the better and are a very compassionate, self-responsible person today. You are capable of giving animals a wonderful life! Especially if you adopted a cat from an animal shelter. That way, it will have a second chance as you do.

[Asker]

Sometimes I do cry at night thinking about what I did to those innocent animals. I was 10 the last time I killed an animal, well two.
True I can't change the past. I feel disgusted at my former self.

[Whatthefluff]

It's understanable for you to hate what you've done, but this is not all that defines you. You are clearly intelligent and intrapersonally aware. Create a future moving forward that you'll be proud of.

[GlitterDragon]

Considering you said you were a kid when it happened, I’d say yes. But anyone that’s more aware of what they’re doing most definitely does not deserve a second chance.

[nerms123]

It sounds like you were very young and had emotional difficulties so I think you have already changed after so many years.

[MrHopper]

If you think differently then it's fine with me, I love animals more than people but we all make mistakes when younger and are not the same people we were last year or 10 years ago... If it helps you feel better my history is I advocate positive reinforcement in training dogs, volunteer at two dog rescue centres and one wild animal rescue and have two rescue dogs who came from abusive homes...

[Asker]

Thank you for sharing this. I'm still dealing with this guilt of being super cruel with animals in the past. I did killed several of them. I feel disgusted at this moment that I did all that to innocent living things.

[MrHopper]

You could help your own redemption by volunteering at an animal rescue centre. It might make you feel better about it at the least

[Anonymous]

I dont think so.
Unlike humans, animals can never report abuse, so they shldnt be left with such any kind of abusers.

[Asker]

I understand your stance. I was 10 the last time I killed two animals. I feel sick to my stomach and some nights, I cry over it.

[Waffles731]

Would you let a convicted child molester near your kids to 'give them a second chance'

[Asker]

Well that's an extreme comparison but I can see where you're coming from. Yeah I would have a problem with that.
I have full remorse over what I did to those animals when I was a kid (throwing a hamster on a lake, drowning a couple cats, poisoning two dogs and hurting several others) and really feel sick to my stomach. Sometimes I cry out at night over it. I will never ever hurt or kill any animal ever again.

[Janisjp]

No you don’t.

[Nachowedgie]

Nope