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Parents of rabbit flu death son taunted by animal rights extremists

Last updated at 12:59pm on 24th August 2006



John Freeman died from rabbit flu

Animal rights activists have targeted the parents of Britain's first known human victim of "rabbit flu", with telephone callers telling them his death was a "rabbit's revenge".

John Freeman, 29, died after becoming infected with the bacteria pasteurella multocida after picking up a rabbit on his farm.

He fell ill the next day with a fever and died three days later.

His parents Joan and Peter Freeman, who farm at Aspall, near Stowmarket in Suffolk, spoke out following their son's death to appeal for greater awareness of the bacterium that caused his death.

But the couple were horrified when anti-hunting extremists telephoned them within days of their son's funeral and implied their son deserved to die.

Mrs Freeman told The Daily Telegraph that on the day they spoke out, extremists had telephoned to tell her that the couple's only child had been "popping off rabbits for fun".

In a separate call, Mr Freeman was told that the death might be "rabbit's revenge".

The couple went to a relative's house to escape the ringing telephone.

"They were implying that my son deserved to die," Mrs Freeman said. "I just can't understand how people can be so callous. To ring someone up who is devastated with grief - it is disgusting."

John Freeman's parents said their son had been a conservationist.

Mrs Freeman said: "I can't believe these people are caring, or nature lovers or conservationists themselves. If they were, they would know that rabbit culling is a part of country life."

Mr Freeman said: "We are just ordinary people who want to live our lives quietly.

"The only reason we have accepted publicity is so that others can be aware this disease exists. We expect (opposition) from people who are anti-hunting. They have their views and we have ours. But this is sick. We have got more than enough to contend with, losing John."

A post-mortem showed that Mr Freeman had died from septicaemia after becoming infected with the bacteria that causes pasteurellosis, which is known as rabbit flu or snuffles.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency said the bacteria was known to be common among many domestic animals, including cats and dogs, but he was not aware of any other fatal rabbit-to-human transmission.

Mrs Freeman said she believed the bacteria passed into her son's blood stream via a blister he had on his thumb. Mr Freeman died on August 5 - four days after falling ill.

The League Against Cruel Sports has described the telephone calls as "completely unacceptable

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

No one deserves to die. That heoinous and hateful. Poor family. This is really messed up. I just heard today that an old friend of mine died last month and IM kind of sad.

I would hate to hear someone say he deserved it.

How awful! i don't think I 'd behave as gracefully as this family if someone told me my family member deserved to die! That is absolutely sickening.



Those poor people.

It's a shame when so-called humans care more about animal lives than human lives.:-1

Where's that thread about getting a million bucks and never coming back to your country...?

"It's a shame when so-called humans care more about animal lives than human lives."



+++++++++++++ Well, I'm an animal rights activist and there are many times when I'm more concerned with animal lives than human ones. Humans have voices and advocates, etc, etc, etc. Animals need equal support and are often considered as nothing more than "expendable."

However, these people are like any other EXTREMISTS. They remind me of the groups who protest outside womens' health clinics..in the long run, they hurt their cause.

I'm very sorry for the young man's family.

Thank you Lulu for saying what I was going to. That remark pissed me off with its ignorance. No animal is less than a human. It's a real shame when people continue to perpetuate that crapitude as it certainly does not benefit the animals or the public's value of animals.



Next, there is often a big difference between conservationists and people who actually respect animals' place in the system. I come from a hunting family and I also had been in conservation quite a few years back and I refused to accept the myth of "culling." I am aware rabbits multiply quickly and proficiently. I am also aware that if we left all the predators and prey alone, the system would balance itself the way it was meant to.



If the kid really was "popping off rabbits for fun" and that is possible, then as far as I am concerned he did get his due as no animal should be killed for pleasure, even by a kid. If not, then it was just an unfortunate accident.



That said, I would not be calling his house and taunting his family or getting enjoyment from this. And instead of automatically labeling them "animal rights extremists" why don't you call them what they are? Jerks. *I* am an animal rights "extremist," I fight for animals all I can and I don't care if it ticks someone off or if they disagree with my views. I am not a jerk as these people seem to be and I find that labeling really offensive as it insults those of us who do the good work for God's "lesser" creatures.



ETA: I re-read and understand this is no child but a man of 29.

You know, Pinkster....these days, it's hard to find a family which needs to hunt for food! I realize some people think of it as "sport"....although it doesn't seem very "sportive" unless the animals have guns, too!

It's a shame when so-called humans care more about animal lives than human lives.

__________________
If that remark is ignorance then so be it. For these people to call this family when I am sure they are going through hell, punishing themselves enough, THAT pisses ME off. I love animals but I would never, ever in my life, put people through more hell than they are already going through.:-5

And nor would I.

SnoozeControl wrote: I really wish you hadn't said that. Peg's a very warm and compassionate person. Sometimes posts come out sounding worse than they're meant, and we should give someone the benefit of the doubt until they can clarify their meaning.

In any case, this news article reminds me of those psychos that carry banners celebrating the death of another American soldier... some church in Ohio? I don't remember.
They spread their venom in the name of God. I can't think of the name either, but yes, it's exactly like that.

Pinky wrote: Round of applause to Red and Lulu.

Animals feel fear, love and pain, so what the hell gives anyone the right to condone taking potshots at them for fun?

I don't blame the kid, he obviously didn't know any better.

Kids are brought up by example, and I have no repect for any parent that thinks it's ok for kids to do this. IMO, they're a pair of dimwits raising another dimwit.

Sorry if that's offensive, but that is the way I feel.

Killing for food is a different matter. Taking potshots for the fun of it? Despicable.


I think that what is suggested is that he was culling you ignorant prat.

I beg your pardon? "IGNORANT PRAT?" Is this designed to impress us with your linguistic skills? Or your mental acuity?

Snooze, I'm not trying to make this an argument or a slam against another member. I do believe Peg's meaning was crystal clear: that we shouldn't value animals over people. I completely disagree. I didn't say Peg was ignorant but I do feel that attitude is and I don't think there's anything warm and compassionate about that comment. I'm sure Peg's a nice person as everyone here seems to be. We just disagree on this issue. I hope that's straightened out now. :-3

RedGlitter wrote: Snooze, I'm not trying to make this an argument or a slam against another member. I do believe Peg's meaning was crystal clear: that we shouldn't value animals over people. I completely disagree. I didn't say Peg was ignorant but I do feel that attitude is and I don't think there's anything warm and compassionate about that comment. I'm sure Peg's a nice person as everyone here seems to be. We just disagree on this issue. I hope that's straightened out now. :-3
If it's cold and dispassionate to think humans should be treated at least as well as animals, then I'm guilty as charged.

RedGlitter wrote: That said, I would not be calling his house and taunting his family or getting enjoyment from this. And instead of automatically labeling them "animal rights extremists" why don't you call them what they are? Jerks. *I* am an animal rights "extremist," I fight for animals all I can and I don't care if it ticks someone off or if they disagree with my views. I am not a jerk as these people seem to be and I find that labeling really offensive as it insults those of us who do the good work for God's "lesser" creatures.


'Tis the nature of the beast. Get used to it. As a Christian, I get the same thing nearly everyday on internet forums and in the MSM. I also want to give some props to Peg. I am a dues paying member of the National Geographic Society and the National Wildlife Federation so I'm not insensitive to the value of wildlife, but humans, for the most part, should be considered to have more value than animals.

It's good that we can all have our own opinions since some of us don't like each other's very well. I think it's coldhearted, arrogant and specist to think humans are better than animals. I am not saying animals should be valued over humans. However I am saying animals and humans should be treated with equal value, respect and compassion. And nothing less. The other concept is beneath my contempt.

So now I'm cold hearted and arrogant? Good grief!:wah:

RedGlitter wrote: It's good that we can all have our own opinions since some of us don't like each other's very well. I think it's coldhearted, arrogant and specist to think humans are better than animals. I am not saying animals should be valued over humans. However I am saying animals and humans should be treated with equal value, respect and compassion. And nothing less. The other concept is beneath my contempt.


Specist? I've heard it all now :-5

"We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals.

Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves.

And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."



Henry Beston

Lulu2 wrote: "We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals.

Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves.

And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."





Henry Beston


That's very nice..:yh_clap

How frustrating I could not continue posting this morning but probably a good thing. To those who are attacking my opinion, let me ask you this. Your house is on fire. Do you save your child or your pet first? Since an animal's life is just as important as a human's, would you have to stop and think about it? I love my pets and it would kill me to lose them, but there is no comparison. I would not have to stop and think about it. I'd have to save my children first. Does that make me a bad person?

Peg wrote: How frustrating I could not continue posting this morning but probably a good thing. To those who are attacking my opinion, let me ask you this. Your house is on fire. Do you save your child or your pet first? Since an animal's life is just as important as a human's, would you have to stop and think about it? I love my pets and it would kill me to lose them, but there is no comparison. I would not have to stop and think about it. I'd have to save my children first. Does that make me a bad person?


Nope, I'd save my kids first as well..

Lulu2 wrote: "It's a shame when so-called humans care more about animal lives than human lives."



+++++++++++++ Well, I'm an animal rights activist and there are many times when I'm more concerned with animal lives than human ones. Humans have voices and advocates, etc, etc, etc. Animals need equal support and are often considered as nothing more than "expendable."

However, these people are like any other EXTREMISTS. They remind me of the groups who protest outside womens' health clinics..in the long run, they hurt their cause.

I'm very sorry for the young man's family.


Well i have to agree with the first bit in this quote, animals arn't able to speak for themselves there for other people have to do it for them. But it is terrible that some people have no respect for somebody's grieve, and that they probaly hardly knew anything about this man or his way of life for that matter.

+++++++++++++ Well, I'm an animal rights activist and there are many times when I'm more concerned with animal lives than human ones. Humans have voices and advocates, etc, etc, etc. Animals need equal support and are often considered as nothing more than "expendable"

Peg, I hope you don't consider that as 'attacking' your opinion or calling you a bad person. There ARE many times when I'm more concerned with animals' lives than human ones. I'll stand against people who want to destroy habitats for their own economy or who abandon or even harm animals. I'd cheerfully shoot poachers or smugglers of endangered animals. And if I were to rescue one living thing from your burning house, it'd be your child.

I'm happy to do that....but she still seems upset that people didn't agree with her.

These stupid activists have a brain loose.

Lulu2 wrote: "We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals.



Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion. We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves.



And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.



In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.



They are not brethren; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."







Henry Beston


That's nicely and aptly put.:-6

Animal extremists do nothing for their cause. Generally speaking a society that doesn't treat animals well tends also to treat humans badly as well. I agree with some of the sentiments of animal activists but not all nor with some of their methods.

However, to taunt someone whose son has just died, whatever the reason, is an action so despicable I object to them being part of the same species.

Of course! I think we're all in agreement on these thoughts, GMC.

You guys know that I am a big animal nut. I am a member of support ASPCA and Best Friends and the Humane Society but those PETA people can be really over the top. I get their news letter in my e-mail. Very graphic and in your face.

CC, for some people it HAS to be graphic or else they'll stick their collective head in the sand and nothing will be done. For God's sake, animals are being tortured and slaughtered. What if they were children? Everyone would care then! You and I don't need the graphic tactics because we already know about labs,slaughterhouses, puppymillers, pound seizures, dogfights, and the like, but Peta exists to wake people up. They take a lot of heat but they get the work done. There are people who only want nice and for them, exists the Doris Day Animal League and SPCA type orgs. There is room for both in the world just as there are different types of people in the world.

I think the people who complain that Peta etc only hurt the cause are direly mistaken. What hurts the cause is people's apathy and their failure to look at the issues.

Nobody called anybody any names. Some people got bent because they failed to read properly. It is possible to criticize stupid thinking without criticizing the person.

People always love to throw up that tiredass "your dog or your child" garbage because it's all they can come up with. I would save both. Seems with these people that's never an option is it? I make no bones that I like animals over people and that doesn't make me a bad person or any other names you wish to call me. The way I see it, if it's okay for you to call me an extremist or say I have a screw loose, then it's equally all right for me to say boo to anyone who has less compassion for an animal than they do a child.



Nobody insulted Peg or dragged her out. She volunteered her opinion, I volunteered my disagreement.

Apparently the issue became what's more important a human life or an animal life. It's the wrong question. The question should always be in any situation what is the most loving thing to do for those involved. If you are doing something for other reasons whether you're PETA, Red Cross or any other organization you're wrong. I love my pets, I love animals, I try to treat them with kindness and respect, I try and do the same to people.

Understanding that people get involved with PETA for the best of reasons, I've seen personally that, like extremists everywhere, PETA has resorted to outright lies and distortions to make points and get media coverage. This has caused a loss of their credibility with me.

Diuretic wrote: Every grouping has its extremists and idiots. If they weren't animal rights activists (am I an animal rights activist being a Life Member of the RSPCA?) they'd be ruining someone else's life by carrying on like idiots under some other banner.


Yes , that just about hits the nail on the head for me. Therye just crazy people trying to justify their crazy behavior.

zinkyusa wrote: Apparently the issue became what's more important a human life or an animal life. It's the wrong question. The question should always be in any situation what is the most loving thing to do for those involved. If you are doing something for other reasons whether you're PETA, Red Cross or any other organization you're wrong. I love my pets, I love animals, I try to treat them with kindness and respect, I try and do the same to people.


I like your philosophy Zink.:-6