Your father has some serious issues with pets and people. There are a lot of people who don’t think of pets as we do, but most people don‘t go to the extremes that your father did just because they don’t think animals have souls. It actually sounds like his point was more to torture you and your family than it was to torture the animals.

I hope that even though your father hasn’t sought any professional help, that at least you and your siblings have. Your father sounds like he was only trying to intimidate and punish you and not only did he commit animal abuse, but child abuse as well. IMHO.

I didn’t read the thread to which you are referring, but I know that it’s sometimes impossible for me to react without anger. There are certain situations that I cannot stand by and ignore. I feel the need to voice my opinion and I try to do it in the best way possible to covey my feelings.