Reply #95: No. No animals of any kind. [View All]

[Withywindle]

Rehabilitation isn't JUST about the offender and his personal growth. It's also about the importance of keeping potential future victims safe. The animals you listed are smaller and more defenseless even than dogs. Offenders of a sadistic type usually have a temptation to re-offend because of the 'high' they get; there's an addiction-related process involved. Why tempt him, and risk another creature's life?

BTW, some researchers put the intelligence of parrots at least on par with that of chimpanzees. Some species can live to 70 years, and they learn a lot over the course of that long lifetime. They have a complex social structure, and need stimulation and bonding. They can be demanding and noisy. They are also very physically fragile when compared to a human. It takes a lot of responsibility and humility to be a good parrot owner. Still want to give him one?