# Would you kill your pets in order to stop the spread of ebola (hypothetical)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 16, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521 "2014-10-16T19:43:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/1 "2014-10-16T19:43:31Z")
Let’s say the CDC discovers that for whatever reason that cats and dogs have the ability to contract the ebola virus via airborne delivery and pass it along to humans via fluids transmission. And when the animals contract it they are just carriers and show no symptoms. As a precaution, the CDC is requesting that all pets be euthanized to significantly reduce the transmission of ebola to other humans. Would you bring your cats and/or dogs in to be killed? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/2 "2014-10-16T20:19:52Z")
A tough one. I lean towards “I would not”, but then you know there’s those days when the dog has an accident on the bed, or the cats just won’t shut up… Seriously, I think I’d try to keep my animals. The kids might have to go live somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/3 "2014-10-16T20:31:04Z")
First, it would have to be an epidemic, not the current circumstances. Then, not without evidence that a) the animal in question can be infected with Ebola, b) my animal had been exposed, and c) that quarantining the animals was not effective in preventing transmission. I would really, really want to know that my pet was infected as opposed to exposed, but I understand that in an epidemic, we temporarily give up rights in order to preserve lives. I would surrender my cats to be euthanized, and it would break my heart, though. I would suffer because of it. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/4 "2014-10-16T20:34:08Z")
No. If it were shown that my dog was actually a carrier of the virus then yes, of course I’d have him put down to stop the spread. But some pet somewhere might spread a virus so let’s put them all down - absolutely no. Ask me again when there are more than a handful of cases. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/5 "2014-10-16T20:43:51Z")
Since our cats never leave the house, hell no. No way for them to have caught it, nobody for them to give it to but us. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/6 "2014-10-16T20:59:18Z")
You’re talking about trying to exterminate two whole species, here. > [@silenus](#): > > Since our cats never leave the house, hell no. No way for them to have caught it, nobody for them to give it to but us. This is where the hypothetical breaks down. There would have to be some really strong evidence that there is a reasonable and realistic chance that silenus’s indoor housecats could contract ebola. If it was _conclusively_ demonstrated that this would be necessary to prevent or seriously impede an true ebola epidemic, then yes, I would go ahead and do it. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/7 "2014-10-16T21:20:56Z")
Yes, of course, given the scenario laid out. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/8 "2014-10-16T21:25:59Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > You’re talking about trying to exterminate two whole species, here. > > This is where the hypothetical breaks down. There would have to be some really strong evidence that there is a reasonable and realistic chance that silenus’s indoor housecats could contract ebola. > > If it was _conclusively_ demonstrated that this would be necessary to prevent or seriously impede an true ebola epidemic, then yes, I would go ahead and do it. Yes, although it would break my heart. ☹ But I’d have to be really, really convinced that my three dogs and two cats were carriers. I certainly wouldn’t march them off to be killed on the first directive. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/9 "2014-10-16T21:41:05Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > As a precaution, the CDC is requesting that all pets be euthanized to significantly reduce the transmission of ebola to other humans. All pets? As a precaution? Oh, hell no. The hypothetical CDC is nuts. The human race derives _enormous_ benefit from having dogs and cats around. Unless the human race is threatened with something like extinction. But then, I hate these [Sadistic Choice](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SadisticChoice) hypotheticals where we’re forced to choose between two horrible alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/10 "2014-10-16T21:51:48Z")
Sure, if I was absolutely convinced they could carry Ebola. Fluffy would have to be put down. It would break my heart but what alternative would there be? Britain killed many of their pets at the beginning of WWII. They were concerned they’d be aggressive and dangerous in the Air Raid shelters. > **[The little-told story of the massive WWII pet cull](https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24478532)** > > At the beginning of World War II, a government pamphlet led to a massive cull of British pets. This little-discussed moment of panic is explored in a new book. > [@](#): > > At the beginning of World War II, a government pamphlet led to a massive cull of British pets. As many as 750,000 British pets were killed in just one week. This little-discussed moment of panic is explored in a new book. > > The cull came as the result of a public information campaign that caused an extraordinary reaction among anxious Britons. > > In the summer of 1939, just before the outbreak of war, the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed. It drafted a notice - Advice to Animal Owners. > > The pamphlet said: “If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency.” It concluded: “If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed.” ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/11 "2014-10-16T21:54:22Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > A tough one. I lean towards “I would not”, but then you know there’s those days when the dog has an accident on the bed, or the cats just won’t shut up… > > Seriously, I think I’d try to keep my animals. The kids might have to go live somewhere else. You win the thread. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/12 "2014-10-16T22:05:31Z")
I’m gonna say no way on this one. (Though as the owner of a snake and some fish, I’m not directly affected). There are far too many wild and feral animals to make killing the household ones a reasonable precaution, and its the wild and feral populations that would represent the biggest reservoir of the disease, given their wide travel range, opportunistic diets and lack of medical care. Seriously, it’s like throwing out the baby and \*keeping \*the bathwater. Furthermore, a disease that spreads that easily is not going to be stopped by any order like this. If it gets that point, we’re toast. Sorry, guys. Go buy a copy of the The Stand and count down the hours. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/13 "2014-10-16T22:05:52Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > No. If it were shown that my dog was actually a carrier of the virus then yes, of course I’d have him put down to stop the spread. But **some pet somewhere might spread a virus so let’s put them all down - absolutely no.** Ask me again when there are more than a handful of cases. This. I can’t have pets euthanized unless there’s reasonable cause. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/14 "2014-10-16T22:49:36Z")
Read the OP real quick. Just came back from taking care of the cat. The dogs I’ll have to think about. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/15 "2014-10-17T00:31:19Z")
No way. We live out in the country and it’s easy for me to keep my dogs and cats from having any contact with other pets. I would be diligent in that quarantine, but they’re not getting killed unless they have been shown to be actual carriers. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/16 "2014-10-17T00:42:23Z")
No. My two cats are indoors only; my partner’s two dogs are never allowed to go out without leashes. So who are they going to infect? We can take precautions to protect ourselves, and that’s the extent of our responsibility. And if we become infected, and it’s fatal, the six of us will all go together . . . humanely. Our animals play a big part in what makes life worth living. We will give them up - along with our own lives - when we are convinced that they are endangering other humans. And not a moment sooner. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/17 "2014-10-17T01:29:18Z")
Yes. If they can catch it from breathing, then absolutely yes. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/18 "2014-10-17T01:38:23Z")
No. If they came to take my kitty away, I’d try to hide her. If that failed, I’d try to set her free. If \*that \*failed and they took her and killed her, then they’re the guilty ones and my conscience is clean (if very sad). ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/19 "2014-10-17T04:18:39Z")
Sure. But only after all the free range mammals were killed. I mean, if inside only cats could transmit it…what about the mice and rats running around? And what about the feral cats? (black death anyone?) Rats, mice and cats are common test subjects for testing things designed for humans. What about all those horses running around? Oh, and cows and pigs. Forget about bacon cheeseburgers after the kill off. So, yeah…you can have my cats and dogs after you kill everything else. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521/20 "2014-10-17T05:22:26Z")
Yep. Then again I lived in China during SARS. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-kill-your-pets-in-order-to-stop-the-spread-of-ebola-hypothetical/701521.md?page=2)