Don't kid yourself Hb, I have no remorse if I killed an animal in self-defense (which would be most likely a bear or a pitbull). I would make sure it didn't suffer, but I would kill something in defense of myself or someone else.
Of course, I haven't gone hunting or won't go hunting- simply no reason for me to. I don't like the taste of deer (veal/venison) or any other wild animal. I like cows, but since I already have someone slaughtering them for me and packaging them there's no need for me to go hunting for cows or chickens. ;-)
If I were in the wilderness and had no other means to get food, yes I would go hunting. It's a matter of survival.
Cutting a dog's legs off, or breaking an animal's legs or whatever- just for the hell of it, that's where it goes from need to sickness. And someone who's demented upstairs isn't on the same plane as human. They can't behave, operate or control themselves like most humans- they are sub-human and therefore do not deserve to live. (note: I'm talking about someone who kills, maims or otherwise injures someone or something else just for the hell of it) They are on the same level as rapists and murderers. That alone gives me all the justification I need to not give it a second thought about putting an end to their life- or at the very least insuring the pain/suffering they inflicted on someone or something else they must live with for the rest of their life in their padded cell.
-SW