Is it sinful to kill rodents?

 

Depends on what the rodent is!

 

If its a gerbil, or a hamster or a Cabybara. . . then yes (its a sin), because taking the life of an innocent animal for no reason (or pleasure) is wrong.

 

But if its a harmful rodent that harms humans, and causes diseases such as a Rat (urgh) or a mouse, then there is no sin in killing such a rodent. (Just like there is no harm in killing a poisonous snake for self-defense, or killing a rabid-dog etc. Infact even if there is an endemic / contagious disease amongst harmless animals such as chickens, cows that can infect other animals or humans, it is fine to Euthanise those particular animals as well. Provided it is done in a humane manner, and needless sufferring on the animal is avoided. Even if it is a Rat. The way ppl killed the Flu-infected chickens recently was horrendous, there could have been painless methods as well.

 

No offense to Rat lovers, or those that have mice/rats as pets, but Feral Rats/mice are a huge nusiance, and are diseased and are even known to hurt children, pets, agriculture, humans as well as cause various diseases.

 

I have personally known rats to bite kids and kill other pets.