There is nothing simple about animals. Absolutely terrifying nothing simple about them. There are not "just" animals. There is nothing simple about instincts and senses. And recognizing humans as animals just gives a nod to the vast, immeasurable complexity underpinning us.

Plus, of course, the whole premise is BS. You don't hear anyone talking about "oh, people are just animals", neither on TV, nor in most books, nor anywhere, except mostly some angsty teenagers who need to vent their spleen.

So, setting up an aesthetically loaded strawman ("A still grosser view) for (making a guess) later rebuttal on some spiritual grounds would just underscore the lack of enough surface knowledge about the colossal complexity of life.