Why post animal torture stories?

[Dear_Prudence]

In the last couple weeks, I have trashed a number of graphic, gruesome animal torture stories posted to DU. Unfortunately, you have to click on the story to trash it, and you risk viewing some horrible image. Is there some merit to sharing these graphic horror stories to DU? Are they being posted by trolls trying to drive DU folks away? 🤔

[Island Blue]

1. Thank you! I don't click on these posts

but even the headlines cause distress.

[3catwoman3]

2. I never open threads like this.

Even for stories that I anticipate having a happy ending I often have to fast-forward the early parts because the pictures are just too gruesome.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Animals and articles on terrible things done to kids too.

I see them from time to time on Huff Post and CNN.

I avoid clicking on them.

[debm55]

4. I don't open them, People who do cruel things to animals are sick

[Maraya1969]

5. YES! I hate watching those horrible pictures

[CrispyQ]

6. You don't have to open a thread to trash it.

There's a tiny X in a box next to the thread title. If you put your cursor over it it says Send to Trash Can. Click that to delete.

[Earthrise]

13. Genius!

[Lulu KC]

17. So good to know! Thanks. n/t

[Alice B.]

18. Thank you!

Even seeing a headline or post title is enough for me.

[wordstroken]

22. Didn't know that.

Sometimes the title is heartbreaking.

Thank you for the helpful info, CrispyQ.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. I think they're posted by someone trying to make others aware of the extreme cruelty perpetrated

on helpless animals. Many request donations to provide medical care for the victims or demand justice for the animal. You certainly don't have to click on nor view those posts.

[Lulu KC]

16. Is anyone not already aware of this?

I believe that anyone who might care about this is already tuned in, and it can go on more personal sites like FaceBook, where one's sympathetic friends can be alerted.

[sinkingfeeling]

20. So, now we should decide that things you don't 'care about' shouldn't be posted on DU? The majority of posts

like these have been in the proper forum, "Vegetarians, Vegan and Animal Rights".

Again, if you don't want to read about it, don't read the posts. I, for one, don't care for censorship in any forum..

[Lulu KC]

27. I care a lot

And that is why they upset me. A lot.

[Arabela]

8. Thanks for bringing this up. I've seen a couple of graphic headlines lately and have been disturbed by them without

even having to go into the post. I can't undo the images they trigger. I wish people wouldn't post them at all, but they should at least add a warning to the title.

[flamingdem]

9. Those posts don't belong on DU General Discussion

Or they start a subforum.

It reminds me of the news feed on most people's phones. It's often
some brutal and disgusting news - and they feel compelled to tell
me. No, I don't need to know.

[sinkingfeeling]

21. Show me a post in General Discussion. The ones I've noticed for all in the proper forum:

Vegetarians, Vegans, and Animal Rights.

[flamingdem]

29. Search on the word

donkey. That's the last one I think.

[sinkingfeeling]

31. I concur that it should not have been in General Discussion. The poster did ask if it shouldn't.

I, personally, am interested in the 'saved' animal stories, often about mistreated dogs, and don't object to them.
I'm more disturbed by some of the language and bathroom/sex humor that others post. I just don't read those posts.

[flamingdem]

34. The same

I watch a lot of saved animal stories. Love to see the transformation.

Especially senior cats!

[Fla Dem]

10. Graphic, gruesome posts are not allowed.

I use mostly the Lounge and General Discussion. I do venture to some of the others, but not so much lately. There has been an abundance of posts on GD and it pretty much take up all my viewing time to get through the 3-4 or some days, 4-5 pages of new posts.

I too hate anything that shows animal mistreatment. However, I can't say I have seen any animal torture or mistreatment in either of the forums I read.

Yes, there will be stories of abused and abandoned animals but those are ones that end up having a happy ending. DU'ers are not in the habit of posting nasty, gruesome articles of any subject just to post disgusting stuff.

So not sure where you are seeing these "graphic, gruesome animal torture stories". I may have missed them.

Please report them when you do come across them. No one should have to even accidently see mistreatment of animals.

No graphic content
Do not post content that is Not Safe For Work (NSFW), which includes sexually explicit material, graphic depictions of bodily functions, or images of extreme violence, gore, pain, or human suffering. Exceptions are permitted when an image adds important context to a legitimate news story, but the post must include a "graphic content warning" in the subject line.
Why we have this rule: Most people do not enjoy stumbling across extremely graphic content while browsing the web.

[Dear_Prudence]

12. Thank you. Now I know. nt.

[obamanut2012]

11. I have been saying that for years

[GoCubsGo]

14. I don't get it, either.

I immediately hit the "Trash this thread" X-in-the-box the moment I see them. I don't even open them.

[Lulu KC]

15. Thank you!

I could not agree more. I race to the post and trash it, but sometimes even reading the headline leaves a horrible image in my head. I also have to ignore the person, which means that if they ever post anything valuable I'll miss it. I wish we could send an alert about them.

[jeffreyi]

19. A major trigger.

Thanks for the trashing post tip.

[twodogsbarking]

23. I hadn't known.Sick.

[birdographer]

24. I almost didn't even read this post,

for fear you would give examples.

I don't know what this trend is, but it will be the one thing that sends me fleeing DU. It will only take one or two more. There is nothing I can do for those animals. I would happily return the torture to the perpetrators but I can't. It's not head in the sand stuff.

So yeah, quit. The very second these hit the Latest list, they should be removed.

[JoseBalow]

25. I flip channels when I hear that "Arms of Angels" song

Sorry, I just can't bear to watch animals suffer

[grumpyduck]

26. I can't handle those stories.

They make me want to find the perp and pull up the Code of Hammurabi.

[Polly Hennessey]

28. My question, also. What purpose does it serve.

I never click on the posts. I’m pretty sure we all are aware of cruelty in this world.

[Peregrine Took]

30. I don't get it either. Ruins my whole day. Nothing I can do about that incident.

No photos please!!!!

I'm besot with animals and spend as much of my retiree money I can afford on the sad cases i see posted that are requesting money but to horrible acts already done...what can I do?

[SupportSanity]

32. There's absolutely no reason to post pictures or videos of animal cruelty here

We know it exists. There are pictures and videos on other sights that don't need to be here.

And as a reminder, there are places to donate your time/money/car to help animals who have been in these situations.

The following link is to one of the planet's most philanthropic, animal friendly, rock & roll musicians and lists the animal friendly organizations that he supports:
http://www.dtscf.com/animal-protection-and-education

The owner of the website is Tom Schulz - guitarist/keyboardist/inventor and founder of the rock & roll band "Boston"

[Nululu]

33. Thank you for removing them

I volunteered in animal rescue for years. Saw and heard enough. I don't need to see it.

Thank you for removing them.

[msfiddlestix]

35. you do not have to click on the post to trash. I don't recall seeing any animal posts at least not in general discussion

don't send me links to prove there are. cuz I don't want to see them either.

[mucifer]

36. Factory farmed animals most people eat are tortured BUT

I don’t like threads about tortured animals.

I consider all ads for fast food ads for animal torture and I am forced to look at these billboards etc. I hate it!

Just bringing out another way to think of this topic.

[Dear_Prudence]

38. VP Harris has a long strong record on animal issues

Article linked below. Harris may offer a chance to make some progress on animal issues that many of us care about.

https://www.animals24-7.org/2024/07/21/vp-kamala-harris-has-long-strong-record-on-animal-issues/

[applegrove]

37. Hear Hear! I don't trash things but that is a good idea.

Don't know why these horrific stories make it to the DU.

[Wednesdays]

39. Isn't posting graphic pictures of any kind

Against the TOS? Shouldn't they be alerted on and hidden?