Well, in the development of a logical argument for not mistreating animals,
I not only have to show that they do feel pain, but I have to answer the
question, "So what?"
   In my crude attempt to answer this latter question, I guess I have to
bring religion into it. After all, literaly millions of animals die hideous
deaths every year as a direct result of being born on this earth. So the
question arises, "What difference does a few more make?" As a matter of
fact, one might say, "Since God puts millions of animals through the pain
and suffering of starving and freezing to death every Winter, perhaps He
would be happy to have us help him out, instead of trying to undo His
efforts."
   In my perusal of the Bible (as well as other religious writings) I have
found a great dearth of recommendations for alleviating the pain and
suffering of our fellow creatures on the lower order of life. There is a
great deal of advice about helping one's fellow man, but it would seem that
most Gods don't give a hoot for the animals.

That's true, but I would suggest that the farmer wait until at least one of
his sheep was harmed by the dog, and your neighbor should wait until at
least one of the chicks is harmed by the cat, too. Around here, all dogs are
supposed to be leashed by law, but the same does not apply to cats. Cats are
considered a natural outside, wandering species, even if they are pets....We
have all of ours collared and tagged, but the feral cat has some kind of
skin condition, and he tore his collar off scratching, so he went untagged
for several years. Today, he no longer wanders (he is about 10 years old)
and just sleeps by the fire.....He still scratches a lot, but my wife
brushes him and puts an anti-itch medication on him which seems to
work....There is no sense in collaring him, because he never leaves the
property, and he would never allow himself to get close enough to anyone
else for them to read the tag anyway.