The students made it perfectly clear that they saw nothing wrong with the act. They couldn't understand what the big deal was about. The big deal is about respect. It is about respect for other living creatures who share this planet with us. Yes, I realize I might be asking for too much.
Humans are a funny bunch.
We generally place ourselves above other animals, unless it serves our purposes to do otherwise. We are disgusted by the idea that we might be descended from a common ancestor with the monkey, and we typically commend our species for its obvious moral and technological superiority. True, our species has achieved great technological and cultural advancements. Unfortunately, our moral aptitude or conscience has not always kept pace enough to allow use to use our technology in fair, wise and humane ways. We have a habit of acting first and thinking later.