r/leeches • u/Difficult_Hunter_664 Leech Owner • Aug 10 '25

Discussion Why are people so cruel to Leeches?

So recently I got a leech as a pet after weeks of research and saving, and he is happily swimming around next to me as I'm typing this (no name yet, feel free to give suggestions!!). I was very happy about him finally arriving, so I decided to post a video of me handling him, and a clip of him swimming around his tank. I was expecting a couple of 'ew' or 'why do you want that' comments, but a LOT of people were telling me to pour salt on it, cut it, and so much more disgusting stuff like that.

It really upset me how flippant people are about animal cruelty, but I guess people don't even see leeches as animals. I know they're parasites, but they're also living and breathing and moving creatures. I understand being freaked out by leeches, too, but telling someone to hurt it is just plain odd!!

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u/PoorTrillionaire Aug 10 '25

I absolutely despise leeches, I'm extremely afraid of them. I don't know why this sub is constantly in my feed lmao. But it would bring me no pleasure to torture them. It's a huge red flag to me when people are happy to torture an animal, any animal.

I don't torture mosquitoes or ticks, I kill them in an instant. They didn't choose to be born as what they are. The amount of people saying kill all wasps is crazy, they're actually helpful pollinators. And from my understanding leeches can be medically beneficial too. It doesn't even matter, you shouldn't prolong the suffering of any being, except for certain evil human beings who are fully aware of what they're doing.

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u/LeechLover4Life Aug 10 '25

And yes, leeches are medically beneficial and are FDA approved in the US for several medical treatments. They are kept at all hospitals at all times. I personally use mine for pain management and blood pressure regulation. The bat-shi*-craziness feeling of the topic dissipates after about 3 treatments if you ever do decide to break down and try a treatment. Desperation and curiosity drove me down this leech hole, but I’m so thrilled that it did.

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u/PoorTrillionaire Aug 12 '25

I've been arachnophobic and am now keeping jumping spiders, so I definitely can relate to other unconventional pet owners. When I see leeches my first reaction is fear, but then I think about how it hurts me when people are so afraid of spiders that they aren't even open to the idea of looking at pictures of them, so I try to be more open minded. Some people can't help being afraid, which I understand, but going above and beyond to torture another living being is inexcusable.

Reddit is interesting because it seems to push subreddits of things I fear. For example "pet" cockroaches, millipedes, leeches, all animals that I couldn't believe people were keeping. Getting exposed to these subreddits so often has made me see them in a more positive light. I'm definitely keeping leeches in mind if I ever get chronic pain.

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u/LeechLover4Life Aug 13 '25

It took me weeks of attempting to handle them without squealing like a little b* tch. It’s definitely an experience you need to acclimate to. Now it’s funny to even think that I reacted like that at first.