Sunday, February 10, 2019

Book Discussion - Animal Cruelty in Books


So since I'm hosting the "They Call It Puppy Love" challenge this month, I wanted to take the time to have a little discussion about something that's been on my mind lately...

ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BOOKS (and movies)

Many of you probably saw last week's "What's Happening" where I spoke about the Netflix movie "Polar" and the horrible pup scene.  That really got my mind turning and made me start wondering about animal cruelty in books and movies and why we run into it so much.  

Let's be straight.  I know death happens.  I've faced losing beloved pets more times that I wish and it's on my mind every time we welcome a new one into our hearts and home.  And basically, the good and the joy they bring outweighs the bad of losing them.  But I don't want to read about senseless animal deaths.  I know in some cases I'll run into it in movies or books.  And especially in non-fiction.  A lot of time I'm forewarned and I can decide if it's something I can deal with or not.  Do people include it for shock value?  Does it ever really enhance the plot?  

For example, I've had this book forever.


I was so enraged when this whole incident happened and would still rather spit on Michael Vick than look at him.  Yet I can't quite bring myself to read it.  I know it's non-fiction and that it really happened.  I also know good things did come of it because it sparked awareness and activism on behalf of Pitties everywhere.  Yet  I know I will be brought to tears.


And here's another book I had on my TBR for quite a while but someone shared their was horrific animal abuse so I axed it.


But here is one of my favorite books from last year and it features a very saddening animal scene.

So what's the difference?  I think when the animal incidents are accidentally, or something that might have occurred but wasn't done TOO them I am more better prepared to stomach it.  

And I often hear people say but animals aren't people.  Well, they are my "people."  My children have fur and I don't want any animal hurt.  And it doesn't just go for dogs. I own "The One and Only Ivan" and can't bring myself to read it because I know it's going to be sad.


So what are your thoughts?  Do certain things make it easier to stomach things like this?  Are there any books you just KNOW I need to avoid?  

And on a parting note, I will NEVER watch "John Wick" because I know that poor little beagle's fate.



26 comments:

  1. I will not be watching John Wick EVER after what you said so thanks for that warning! No I can't stand dog death in my books or owners abusing them whether it is fiction or not! I love the book Afraid by Jack Kilborn but there is injury to the dog though it does survive. I abandoned the series The Remaining by DJ Molles because of dog death that made me angry in book one. I want to see the dog as a faithful companion and hero like in the Extinction Cycle series, not miserable death!

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    1. I remember you mentioning on your blog a few series you stopped reading. Glad you mentioned them here so I can avoid them. Sometimes it helps knowing the dog at least survives.

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  2. I actually turned down a book last week because of a terrible, dog cruelty scene. I feel the same way about cruelty against young children and any other kind helpless characters.

    Now if I knew the dog got revenge later on in the book . . .!

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  3. I know animal deaths happen but if it's done right I can get mad and still read it but if it's just there for shock value and senseless I have a harder time with it just like you. I will now never watch John Wick, thanks for the warning! :)

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    1. You make a good point, how they are handled can be key for me as well.

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  4. I feel the same, Barb. I feel like animal cruelty in books and movies is often just a plot device to show how horrible a character is, but it doesn't mean it's right. I avoid any book that I know will have senseless animal cruelty in it. But I have read wonderful books where the dog dies, but it's just different, you know?

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    1. I totally know what you mean. I mean, I realize pets/animals die I just hate it when it's done out of cruelty.

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  5. It is definitely a hard reality to face, especially for an animal lover like myself. I really think we are at a point where CGI is a viable alternative for showing that kind of stuff in movies. In books, I know it is all fiction, so it doesn't bother me as much. That being said, I'm probably still only skimming through those pages!

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  6. I'm not a fan of it either and if I know there's a senseless or gratuitous animal death I'll skip whatever it is generally. Good to know about john Wick too.

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    1. Yea, I think Mr. Barb warned me about the Wick movie. I've never even watched any of it.

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  7. That scene in John Wick ripped my heart out. I know they use animal death for shock and emotional value in movies and books, but I think it's an old trick and they need to move past it. Animals are innocent and I can't see how anyone would want to hurt them. At least with a book I can easily skip it. In movies, the scenes are usually unexpected and so fast you can't un see them.

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    1. I know. Once you see it you can't get it out of your head!

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  8. I don't like animal deaths in any capacity, but in Widows and John Wick I gritted my teeth and went through both -- the first bc it was a small scene and the latter bc he got his revenge for his dog in spectacular style and by that point I was like: anyone who looked at the dog wrong should be dead.

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    1. We watched Widows this weekend and I worried about that cute little doggy the whole time.

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  9. Everything you and Tammy said.
    Lynn :D

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  10. I know this is a touchy subject for a lot of us. I don't go for animal cruelty, but, in a book, it is all about the context for me.
    sherry @ fundinmental



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  11. Damn that John Wick movie. It caught me unawares and I shut the thing off. I refuse to watch any of those movies now. Ever. So I get you. I've also had Ivan on my ipad for years. I will probably never be strong enough to give it a listen.

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    1. I'm so glad someone warned me before I saw it.

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  12. I think if there is something readers can learn from it, or if it's part of nature... it's okay, but that doesn't mean they have to make the description grusome. The dog scene in My Best Friend's Exorcism really upset me, and I know it was to show how much she was being controlled, but I also think there were other ways of showing that. 😢

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    1. Aha! That book! That scene did me in too. I even remember tweeting Grady Hendrix telling him I enjoyed the book but the dog should have lived and he scarred me for life.

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  13. That scene in John Wick infuriates me!! I hate when animal abuse is added in simply for the gut wrenching reactions. Like, was it REALLY necessary?!?

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  14. Honestly, I don't mind animal cruelty in books any more than I mind any other terrible thing, if that makes sense. It won't stop me from reading a book (well, a fiction book, I think any terrible thing would be harder to stomach knowing it really happened). But I agree that there should be some sort of reason for adding it to the story, and I try to warn in my reviews if a book has it so that others who want to avoid it can.

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