Halocho #1011 - Be nice to the animals

It’s a Torah prohibition to cause pain to animals – and it's a Mitzvah to prevent such pain and to cure animals (even if they don’t belong to a Jew).

However, if an animal is causing harm to humans, or can be used to help cure humans then one may kill it (as humanely as possible) for we see that the Torah allows one to eat meat.

It’s a Mitzvah to help horses that are pulling a wagon and are struggling due to the incline or the rough terrain – even if they don’t belong to Jew. One should prevent the rider from whipping them unnecessarily to try get them to pull more than they can.

One may not tie the legs of animals in such a way that they are in discomfort.

One may not force a bird to roost on eggs from a different type of bird.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 191:1,2,3

- Danny
Tuesday, 12 Tevet 5773