Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses limitations to the process of redeeming a sacrificial animal. Though an animal sanctified to be offered on the altar can be redeemed if it develops a blemish, it is to be redeemed for a dignified form of consumption, not to “throw its meat to the dogs.” This is why, for example, if it died first or it became a tereifa, it cannot be redeemed and it must be buried instead. Because it cannot be subsequently consumed in a dignified manner.

The Talmud (Pesachim 118a) notices a juxtaposition between the verse that prohibits gossip and the directive to abstain from eating a tereifa animal, which then instead should be given to the dogs:

“Anyone who speaks slander, and anyone who accepts and believes the slander he hears, and anyone who testifies falsely about another, it is fitting to throw him to the dogs, as it is stated: ‘And you shall not eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field (tereifa), you shall cast it to the dogs’ (Exodus 22:30), and afterward it is written: ‘You shall not utter [tisa] a false report; put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness’ (Exodus 23:1).”

The Meshech Chochma (Mishpatim ibid.) develops this idea further. A consecrated animal that develops a blemish can be redeemed, and then, as we have learned, can be consumed in a dignified manner. However, if it becomes a tereifa, we have learned it is only “fit for the dogs.” By way of metaphor, an ordinary sinner, though he has a blemish, can still be redeemed through regular repentance. However, somebody who slanders and commits similar antisocial sins that tear at the core of society (the literal meaning of tereifa is an animal torn apart by a wild animal)—their repentance is much harder. They cannot simply be redeemed because they are fit for the dogs and not fit for humanity.