Hi V2,
You make some good points,
I'll take them one at at time if I may,
1), Pain, I never spoke about pain, I agree with what you say about the pain receptors, just the cruelty of putting living creatures, who, regardless of pain or not, know that are trapped, and try to escape, (mental pain).
2) Natural food, yes, as are the Wilderbeest for Alligators etc, there's no need for us 'civilised people' to use live bait, in the natural world, plantlife included, its kill or be killed, eat or be eaten.
Not in this country, but if a dog falls into a river in other parts of the world, it can become food for a predator.
4). Can't argue on that one, I agree.
5) What is intelligence?. to me, that makes no difference, they are still living, breathing creatures, and should be respected for the natural job they do.
I sincerely hope you thoroughly enjoyed your meal, I had it yesterday, Yorkshire Pudding, the works, but the animals we eat, are supposed to have been killed painlessly, how they're kept is another matter.
PS
Are you another Wardy incarnation?, if not, I apologise,