The only creatures capable of sadism are humans. I don't know any snake keeper or feeder rodent breeder whom enjoys causing suffering to rats. All I know of make great effort to provide a healthy life for the rodents and euthanizing is done in a quick painless method. Personally I check the frozen rats very careful when I get some from a new supplier. I have once found evidence of damage before death occurred (broken leg that was very bloody then frozen) I have never purchased from that supplier again nor will I. The quality of the life and death matters to me. I think I can say that all the keepers I know feel the same. In that precludes Sadism.

The young fellow who held you conversation made up his mind and used the first word that seem to describe what he was feeling the word kinda fit in his mind. I think he wanted to say you keep the company of snakes so you must be in league with the devil. That would get him laughed at by his friends and fellows so substitute sadism. There is no point in arguing with someone who has a closed mind it is a waste of time. I find it sad to see a closed mind in youth but the damage is done and all that is left is to morn. Fanatical belief in anything has caused more woe in our world than almost anything else I can think of.