This story has sparked an idea for this discussion.

Imagine this scenario:

You walk down an abandoned alley and suddenly see some hooded teenagers (almost adults) laughing while stomping a 10 week old puppy to death. Let's also imagine you are very physically fit and well trained in hand to hand combat. Would you punish them? Would you "turn the other cheek" and disregard this behavior? Or would you leave it to the police (who, assuming they would catch them, merely give them some community service). Let's also assume that if you were to 'punish' them your chances of getting caught by police were very minimal.

As for me, i could probably take it as far as killing them both and sleeping soundly that night. Am i a sociopath? I think on the contrary.

Reason suggests that killing something as innocent and defenseless as a puppy is a manifestation of repulsively tremendous lack of compassion, which is most certainly detrimental to society. By aborting their existence i would more likely than not be making life better for the community. I would honestly feel much more guilty if i allowed them to repeat anything like it again.

Now you may ask: "but odlav, what about your own lack of compassion for those idiots?"
My lack compassion towards them is simply dwarfed by lack of compassion they have for other living beings. They are neither innocent nor clueless, and my actions would be (in my eyes) justified by redemption for repulsive act they've committed. What were their acts fueled by? Lust for fun? Curiosity? Stupidity? Neither is a very good reason.

Truth be told, i have far more compassion for humanity in large than a couple violent and dim-witted yobs who murder innocent defenseless animals. And i have all reasons to believe humanity would benefit from their deaths.

PS: If i didn't actually kill them, I would make sure they would never stomp anything again (like crush both of their tibias)