The Unforgivable Curses on animals?

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 95032

Del(?) wrote:
<snip> But then I began wondering about whether AK was equally
Unforgiveable if it's used to slaughter animals. Compared to the ways
in which we kill them in our world, it seems considerably more humane.

Potioncat:
<snip> I think you have a good question and I'd like to add to it. If
AK could be used on animals (we did see it used on a spider) and if it 
is more humane, (I don't know, but it would seem so) why does 
MacNair come with an axe for Buckbeak?

Carol:
Good question, Del. (I think it was you. If not, it's still a good
question.) I personally think what Crouch!Moody did to all the spiders
was Unforgiveable, maybe not in a literal sense but because he's
sadistic, indifferent to the pain or death of humans or animals, using
them all for his own purposes. (I'm sure half the board will disagree,
but bear with me.) 

Killing animals for meat is another matter altogether (unless you
happen to be a Vegan). Butchers, whether or not we'd want to be one,
are necessary in a meat-eating world. And unless the WW gets its meat
from Muggles, there must be wizard butchers. I wonder if a similar
spell with a different name could be used on animals, one that doesn't
require the mindset of a murderer to perform it, in which case it
wouldn't be unforgiveable. (But if it could also be used on humans,
we'd have a problem.)

As for Potioncat's question, MacNair is also a sadist, but a less
subtle one who evidently likes using his muscles to kill dangerous
creatures brutally but efficiently. Humanity is not his concern. And
LV (in GoF) has promised him worthier prey. MacNair may be in Azkaban,
but I'm betting he'll escape with Lucius. And watch out for a wizard
who prefers an axe to a wand. He'll do something brutal and ugly, mark
my word. Maybe, just maybe, he'll go after a certain hippogriff who's
still at large. . . .

Carol