A Facebook post by a woman seeking to learn "the most humane way to have a rat killed" has set off a firestorm within a group of New Zealand vegans.
In her post, shared within the Vegans NZ Facebook group on Monday, the woman explained she was "totally freaked out" after seeing a "big rat in my yard".
"I will need it killed but is there a way to do this that does not conflict with my morals?"
The question didn't go down well with vegans in the group.
"Why would you kill him??" one person asked.
"Vegans don't harm rats. Humans are just as damaging if not worse," said a user.
One person said if the person who posted was a vegan, "YOU DNT FKN KILL ANY KIND OF ANIMAL LAND OR SEA".
"If you had that thought to kill the poor rat even cross your mind, you're plant-based not VEEEEEEGAN [sic]."
"You don't have any M0r&l$, clearly. I can't believe you are even asking this question, what is wrong with you?" another told the woman.
That same person also told the woman: "You are NOT vegan".
Someone replied to that comment, saying they disagreed.
"You can be vegan and still justify pest control, depending on where they live rats could be destructive to the ecosystem and letting it live will do more harm than good," the person said.
"If they live in a city or away from native bush then it's not justified."
They suggested getting a cat or possibly a trap and trying to relocate the small little animal.
Traps were recommended by a number of people in the group who said the woman should try to move the rat outside of the city.
"I've trapped & released 3 rats so far - took each one to a quiet place, well away from humans," one person said.
That may have changed the original poster's mind about killing the rat. She said she would get a rat trap and may release it on a mountain she lives near.
Some noted that rats can be lethal to native wildlife.
"By killing one rat/pest you are saving many birds and bird eggs."
Others commented on how "mean" some of the vegans were being.
"Wow… vegans are mean… but I agree I wouldn't kill it. He's probably just passing through. I'd only worry if you see them regularly or hear a few in your house. We get heaps of mice in winter because we live rurally, we trap and release."
Someone replied: "Vegans are not mean, but if you kill an animal meaness is warranted !!! Not here for human feelings when they suggest killing an animal."
Another user said it was wrong to be "mean" to the original poster.
"Some of these comments are just mean. I thought the ethnics behind being began included doing no harm to any living thing, doesn't that include other people."
Eventually the comments were turned off.
According to the Vegan Society, veganism is "is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude - as far as is possible and practicable - all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose".
Veganism also seeks to promote "the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment".
"In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."
