It's more than Cruel ~ It's Barbaric

This was written in response (suntimes@sph.com.sg) to the article on how people are tattooing fish for 4D numbers (Straits Times 10 Feb)

No matter how humane people claim the process of tattooing (the fish) is, it does not change the fact they are branding another living thing -permanently. Even if it does not cause pain, the act itself is barbaric. To me, these are actions of the past, when humans were less civilized, and where slaves were branded and forcefully tattooed. Have we now accepted these kinds of actions just because the victims are now other smaller animals?

It is not as if the act of tattooing on fish is for research, where one can help to find the cure cancer. It is simply for the pleasure of some who wants to get 4D numbers. Can’t there be other less deeming ways to get the 4D numbers? Here are some suggestions:

1) Throw a pack of cards into the air, and pick out numbers.
2) Make a board of numbers and play darts.
3) Use mahjong tiles and get your pet to “pick” the numbers.
4) Draw a matrix of numbers (0 to 9) on the floor/sand, turn your back to the matrix and throw a one dollar gold coin to see which number it lands on.

I am sure people can get the numbers without subjecting the fish to unnecessary dosage of anesthetic and injection.

As for issue on tattooing on fish as a form of art, there have been many people around the world who readily decorate their bodies with tattoo art. So, I have no problems with that as long as the fish agrees.