Putting down

From time to time I notice our progress in this country, or more precisely our lack of progress, towards allowing a civilised and dignified death to those humans with terminally unpleasant diseases. See, for example, references 1 and 2.

Of which I was reminded by a piece in today's Guardian about a roughly human sized blue shark visiting Mallorca. We read that 'specialists from the Palma aquarium said the shark appeared to be dying and they were assessing whether it needed to be put down'. I don't suppose Chris Grayling would have any problem with this: it's nice to be nice to dumb animals, but humans just have to grit their teeth and put up with it. Supposing, that is, that they have any grit or teeth left.

Given the heat here in Epsom this afternoon, I resist the temptation to wax philosophical about the differing rights of humans and their non-human friends.

Reference 1: http://psmv3.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/a-possibility.html.

Reference 2: http://psmv2.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/a-bad-result.html.

Reference 3: https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/. The people who are doing their best for us.