SEARCY, AR. (LP) — Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. Many of us bought our beloved “pets” at pet shops, had guinea pigs, and kept beautiful birds in cages. We wore wool and silk, ate McDonald’s burgers, and fished. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Animal rights have been the subject of much debate, especially among animal rights groups who fight for animal welfare. Unfortunately, animal cruelty still runs rampant throughout much of the world. Some people simply don’t believe in animal rights, and governments have failed to produce legislation that protects all animals from human predation. Additionally, some industries have systematically commoditized animals for various purposes, treating them as things rather than as sentient beings. Even our beloved cats, dogs, and other pets are legally considered property.
Jessica Holden a student from Searcy High school stated “The victims aren’t humans, but they are Americans, born in this country, mostly on factory farms. Like you and me, they feel pain, grief, joy, and love.” While Ryan Brooks said, “I think animals should be allowed to live freely. They should not be put on display as I am sure is the roles were switched we wouldn’t like it either.” It’s true that some animal rights legislation has passed in the United States and elsewhere. For instance, law enforcement can bring charges against a person for neglecting or abusing an animal. However, the animal his or herself doesn’t have any legal rights.An abused dog can’t sue his tormenter for pain and suffering. A person can’t do so on his behalf, either. Furthermore, factory farming operations, animal testing facilities, and similar businesses continue to torture animals for the benefit of people. Why does this continue? And what should animal rights look like on a global scale? Let’s dig into some of the specifics. Animal rights is an idea and a movement that asserts that animals should be able to live free of human interference and that they should never be exploited for human gain.
Animals do have some rights, but not nearly enough. Naysayers argue that nonhuman animals lack language and complex cognitive abilities, which somehow makes them lesser-than. However, animals have the ability to experience emotions like pain, fear, happiness, connection with others, and despair.When a sentient being can suffer at the hands of humans, we have the obligation to protect them from our own brethren. Animals have value beyond what they’re worth by the pound, and stripping them of that valuecreates a culture in which animals are viewed as food, fur, or servants.
The animal rights movement seeks to eliminate this view of animals and to give animals rights beyond what they currently enjoy. It’s not about making nonhuman animals equal to humans, but about taking their inherent value into consideration when making decisions. As mentioned above, animals do have some legal rights. However, don’t confuse legal rights with animal rights because they’re not the same thing. Animals are considered property. If you steal a dog from your neighbor, it’s no different from stealing his television or car. If someone’s dog attacks your dog, you can sue for the vet bills you incurred as a result of the injuries, but not for the pain and misery your poor pet experienced from the attack. Most of the legal rights given to animals involve humans, such as in the case of the pet attacked by someone else’s pet. Other laws prohibit abusing or neglecting animals, but even those are murky and uneven.You can shoot a hog on your property, but you can’t shoot your pet cat. You can shoot a whitetail deer during certain months of the year, but not during others.Furthermore, the laws the USDA sets forth for treatment of animals at factory farming facilities are woefully inadequate and still leave thousands of animals living in abject misery for their entire — and often very short — lives. An animal rights activist is someone who fights on behalf of animals to protect them from human predation in all its forms. These people give their time, money, and voices to a cause about which they’re passionate, and their activities can range from protesting animal testing facilities and factory farming operations to lobbying legislators for better laws for animal rights.
If you want to be an animal rights activist, you don’t need a license or certification. Start campaigning for animal rights in whatever way seems most appropriate for you.
Join animal rights groups, participate in tough conversations, and confront animal cruelty whenever you see it.Animal rights activists believe that animals deserve the same consideration as humans. In other words, their livelihood should be considered when we make decisions about the world and how we make our way in it. Certain animals experience more cruelty at the hands of humans than others.Fish are the most “harvested” animal in the world, while chickens are the most harvested land animal. The most abused animals tend to be dogs, cats, horses, and livestock. It’s interesting that many animal rights cases of abuse go along with human abuses, as well. When animals are considered property under the law, there is no limit to the ways in which humans can exploit them. We need to change how we view animal rights and how those rights are handed over to our animal friends. It starts with awareness and education. If you’re willing to live your values, tell others about them, and spread others’ stories about animal rights, you can make a real difference. We have a systemic problem with animal cruelty across the world. Some countries get it better than others, but no population is truly devoid of cruelty toward animals. What are you doing to help further animal rights in your corner of the world?
