by Jasmine Evans
The abilities of animals are in many ways limited, especially when it comes to communication and rationality. So though they can do some things to look out for themselves and other animals, they need outside help to truly be protected from harm, abuse, and crime. And that’s why human beings are a huge factor when it comes to animal rights. Humans can’t physically be in the presence of every single animal on the planet. It is impossible. That’s where laws come in.
Laws are the tools that humans can use to effectively protect animals. These laws are expected to be obeyed and respected, which in return limits the amount of abuse that animals suffer. Animal laws protect animal rights, just like laws pertaining to humans protect human rights.
In order for law to be efficient, it must be organized. So, it is necessary for organizations to develop to encourage, promote, execute, and enforce these laws. There are three main groups that make animal law powerful: interest groups and organizations, legal bodies and government institutions, and society as a whole.
Animal laws did not really exist in the United States until the latter half of the 19th century, beginning in New York. Those laws became a model for the other states, and then the world. In order for law to be efficient, it must be organized. So, it is necessary for organizations to develop to encourage, promote, execute, and enforce these laws. Today, there are special interest groups that suggest and encourage animal laws, full governing bodies that create them, and powerful legal bodies that enforce them.
Encourage: Over the past few decades, the number of animal rights organizations has surged. On top of that, there’s an increasing amount of organizations that specialize in animal law. Groups like the Animal Legal Defense Fund raise money to defend animal rights cases in court. The Animal Law Review and others like it study animal law. The World Society For The Protection of Animals educates people about the legal liabilities that come with animal abuse and cruelty. Many groups are pushing for an Animal Bill Of Rights.
Execute: Believing in animal rights is the first step. Making legislation for it is the next. More and more people are seeing a correlation between human rights, victim rights, and animal rights. So, many of the laws that apply to one also apply to the other two. According to Federal law, guilty parties can be fined or sentenced to prison for the death of animals. If those animals were bringing in income or had potential/talent, the sentence or fine can be increased. In Arizona, it’s illegal to kill an animal even if it is trespassing. In Arkansas, it’s illegal to kill someone’s pet, even if that pet killed someone else’s pet. In Montana, one can be fined for over $100,000 for the killing of cows. In most states, damages allocated to the owner of an abused animal is based on the animal’s market value and not its intrinsic value. Sweden has developed a whole legal system revolving around animal rights. The United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Portugal, and Taiwan are just a few more examples of nations that take animal law seriously.
Enforce: Because there is so much crime involving humans, many states and nations have set up their own policing units to give animal law the special attention it needs. For example, the New York Animal Precinct, Michigan Humane Society, and the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are all law enforcement groups that enforce animal law in major U.S. cities. All three groups have been featured on the Discovery Channel where they allowed cameras to follow them on the job. These documentaries have not only shown how animal law works but also allows members of society to see the punishment they can face if found guilty of animal crimes.
Conflict: The interest groups that stand up for animals sometimes conflict with the legal system. And the legal system often conflicts with members of society. All these groups across the globe have their own idea about how much/little animals should be protected. Only when these groups work together can they truly be productive.
(All information presented here comes from the webpages/websites listed below)
U.S. & British History Of Animal Law
Importance of Enforcement
How To Seek Damages
Animal Bill Of Rights
Law Pertaining To Animal Rights
Article On The Swedish Animal Legal System: A Guide To Investigation, Enforcement, Prosecution, & Punishment of Animal Crimes
Horse Laws
Legislation Passed/Defeated From 2000-2001: Cockfighting, Apes, Chimps, Air Travel, Juvenile Crime, Etc.
Laws Protecting Police Dogs
Essay: Animals As Victims Of Criminal Acts
Federal Statutes
Link To Animal Laws In Various Regions Of The World
Videos Of Animal Cops In Action
Houston Animal Cops: Rescue a horse suffering from malnutrition and a group of starving, abused dogs
Detroit Animal Cops: Dealing with an obsessed cat collector, a starving dog, a dog near death, an injured Canadian goose, and a basement full of exotic pets.
New York Animal Precint: Streaming Video of Clips Showing Neglect, Abuse, Police Stakeouts, Investigation, Animal Cops In Action, and More
Issues
20 Photos: From Dog To Soup
Essay On How To Be An Activist In The Future
African Elephant Ivory Trade
Federal Cases
Protest Over 'pigs of god' Contest
Celebrities Protest For Bears
Rescuing Animals Who Fell Victim To Civil War in Afghanistan
International Animal Law Conference: Proposed Treaty For Animal Welfare
News & Media Coverage Of Issues Pertaining To The Past 4 Years
Organizations
Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)
Animal Protection Institute
The International Institute For Animal Law
Animal Law Review
Animal Law Center In Boulder Colorado
American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA)
Korea Animal Protection Society
African Wildlife Foundation
World Society For The Protection Of Animals
