But then they turn around and torture-kill a raccoon, and dismiss it as nothing, as a worthless life.

Meanwhile, the raccoon was likely a much better individual, species aside, than any needle-freaking fucking junkie. Why should I accept excuses for humans but not other species? And yeah, where I live, it's junkies that get into the garbage. They leave bigger messes than non-humans do, and with less good excuse.