Bingowings said:

It's as inconsistent for me as arguing for the rights of a zygote while eating a pig.

It seems to me that, say, spiders don't have a definable personality, and therefore don't have any rights either. Their behavior is essentially programmed instincts. So exterminating them isn't a big deal ;)

I do wish to ask, do some animals merit more rights than others in people's views, especially Bingowings'? For instance, does greater intelligence warrant better treatment? Does greater similarity to humans warrant better treatment, such as a cow vs. a crocodile vs. a goldfish vs. a spider? Or are they all equally deserving of life, liberty, and their own pursuit of happiness?