The Fawn

[Cinjin]

So I had a strange evening.

Arriving home around 5pm I began to walk around my house picking up the occasional small tree limbs that had been blown free by heavy winds the night before...
when I saw a fawn lying in the cool bottom of my outdoor basement stairwell walk-up. I slowly approached, and although it moved its head and kicked a bit, it did not attempt to run away. I walked down the steps and saw what was the matter. It had a huge maggot infestation all over it's hind quarters and tail, which had been literally eaten away by the nasty little bastards.

I petted the animal's head and told the little guy I'd make it quick. I went and got my .22 rifle and returned back down the steps. The animal was suffering and didn't even have the energy to run from me. I knelt beside it and told it I was sorry his little life had come to this but that I was going to save him a lot of suffering. I gave him one last pet over his neck, I rose took aim and ended his life. He didn't seem afraid of me whatsoever.

I've killed animals before, but never a fawn, and I was suddenly saddened as I made ready to move his tiny little spotted body.
Although I shed no tears, I mourned this animal. My sister winced with a whine when I told her the story.

Why did I mourn this animal?
Would you feel sadness?
Why do so many of us feel sadness over the death of such a creature? Seriously, why?