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Animal Rights and Wrongs

A thought-provoking essay on our interaction with animals.

For centuries people have exploited, mutilated and abused animals in countless ways,
oblivious of animal's sentience. Today a new movement rising is questioning societies
use and abuse of non-human animals. The animal rights movement states that animal
have a right to swim if they have fins, fly if they have wings, and run if they have feet.
From killing animals for experimentation or for food, using them to do silly tricks,
putting them on display, or hunting them for fun and alleged sport, animals bear the
Sangeeta
brunt of society's violence. If only we can realize the value of all life, and see animals meet
as sentient and necessary in the web of life, the world can then see that when we live
in harmony with nature, we can find peace.

Animals have won the affection of millions in America. The media exposes an image of animals as cute,
cuddly and furry creatures. However, many people do not know that animals are sentient beings with
complex lives and deep emotions. (Montgomery 257) There has been a provocative dialogue between
those who use animals for perceived human benefits, and those that are fighting for the freedom of
animals from use and abuse by humans. (Nelkin and Jasper 9) This beautiful poem captures the essence
of what the animal rights movement is trying to portray (Newkirk 3):

Coat with fur

Hat with feathers,
Lobster broiled alive,
Shoes and bags in sundry leathers
Of animals who've died.

Hunted, trapped, and torn apart

For me to satisfy

And, who am?

And what my rank?
That I may live
And they must die?

Skeptical individuals who do not know much about animal rights often bombard activists with many
questions about ethics. A common asked is, "What if a house was burning down, whom would you save, a
baby or the dog?" This all or nothing attitude serves neither side. Rights activists can come back and say
"Well, if you were in a burning house with Lassie in one room and baby Hitler in another, who would you
save?" Rather than playing analytical word games, we can join together to stand up for injustice to all
living beings. As Chief Seattle so eloquently put it, "All things are connected... Man did not weave the
web of life, he is merely a strand it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." (Robbins 381) So
the question is not a dog versus a baby, rather it is humanity versus insanity.

The 'other side' will argue that they are only animals, what do they know. They believe animals are stupid

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and we as humans are intelligent therefore we are superior. If we look at retarded children, they certainly
do not have the same thinking abilities of able-children, but that does not make them any less sentient, or
any less able to deal with pain. Since when has intelligence been an excuse for violence? After all we are
the only species to ever devise nuclear weapons, the only species to put our own kind in concentration
camps.

Research has proven time and time again that animals are able to feel similar emotions to humans. The
work of Jane Goodall has opened the eyes of the world to the inner life of our closest relatives-
chimpanzees. She found that they could be sad, angry, jealous, playful and most importantly show much
compassion to each other (Goodall 249) This fact is often erroneously argued that emotions may apply to
primates, but rats and fish don't feel pain. A biologist at Cornell University of said that " The nervous
system of a fish is similar to that of any other mammal, hence fish do feel pain." (Save Our Schools) As
for rats, well ask anyone who has had a pet rat. They love to be petted and loved, and they can even do
little chores for you. Rats, cats and dogs have been known to go into a burning building several times
even when they get severe burns, to save their own babies. (Newkirk 45)

Another argument that is used is that animals cannot talk. They can't talk like humans because they do
not have human vocal cords. Some animals have learned to communicate through sign language, but can
we communicate like animals? Many animals have such sophisticated means of communicated that they
would leave us in the dust.

"Dolphins, for example, use echo location, bats use sonar, octopuses and cuttle fish use fantastic color
waves and patterns that ripple through their bodies, and bees flap their wings at varying speeds to give
complicated directions to flower beds." (Newkirk 12)

Since through the facts we have established some forms of intelligence and emotional abilities in animals,
it is reasonable to assume that they are indeed sentient and thinking beings worthy of our respect. Animal
rights is based on the philosophy and the belief of the inherent value of all living beings: a value in their
own right which is not reducible to their usefulness to human beings. All species should be treated with
respect. We must break the barriers that we have built between ourselves and the rest of creation to
extend love and compassion to all.

Many philosophical theories imperil animals. The Natural Law Theory is one which states that we should
promotes basic human good and never violate it. (Reagan 147) According to this theory an animal can be
used by humans if it can somehow promote the good of human beings. Some of the ways that humans use
animals for their own benefit are the following:

In circuses animals are trained, rather forced to learn tricks that they would not naturally do out in
the wild. Are we really that desperate to have a laugh at the price of another's suffering? (Nelkin
and Jasper 157)
Animals are caught in dangerous and extremely painful traps for their furs. People wear these furs
as a fashion statement. Never knowing that it can take about 40 -100 animals to make one fur coat.
But in recent times many models are realizing that compassion is in fashion. They are realizing that
fur coats cost many animals a painful death, and want no part in it. (Nelkin and Jasper 138)
Millions of innocent animals are shot for a cruel and a poor excuse for a sport -hunting. This
activity is certainly not a sport because there is only one player- the hunter. The animals definitely
are not willing candidates. (Nelkin and Jasper 82)
Over 8 billion animals are slaughtered every year in America alone for human consumption.
Maternal deprivation, loneliness, pain and constant confinement are just some of the items on the
"menu." Medical research for years has shown that a vegetarian diet is the ideal diet for all humans.
(Nelkin and Jasper 147)

These are just a few of the ways that humans have used animals. We have exploited animals in every way
possible, without ethical justification and feelings of remorse. Humans still have to learn how to live in
peace with themselves, as well as all creation.

As Albert Schweitzer puts it, "Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not
find peace."(www.peta-online.com) Also, the great philosopher and scholar Pythagoras says, "As long as

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man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace.
Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love." (Newkirk 57) The future
for animals is looking bright now that many people are becoming aware of the suffering of animals, and
are joining in a movement of millions raising their voices for peace for all living beings.

Related Links
PETA
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals is the world-renowned animal rights
organization which has made compassion cool.
Mercy for Animals
This is the superb Ohio animal advocacy organization who defend the rights of all
animals through various campaigns. MFA has produced a series of excellent sites as
well as a dvd of their involvement in the animal rights movement.
Humane Society of the United States
The powerful American organization seeks a truly humane society in which animals
are respected for their intrinsic value, and where the human-animal bond is strong.
San Diego Animal Advocates
A very active group that is working towards a higher ethic and better world for
animals.
YAAA
Youth Against Animal Abuse is a responsible animal care society where all creatures
are treated kindly.
Animal Writings
This is Gary Lowenthal's excellent and very prolific blog providing "Essays and
Musings on Animals and Society".
Global Action Network
This group works on the premise that animals, the environment, and human welfare
are inextricably linked. They have a great website too!

Library References
The Animal Rights Crusade: The Growth of a Moral Protest
James M. Jasper
Revelation of the movement to treat animals with the dignity of living creatures.
Slaughter of the Innocent
Hans Ruesch
A must for whoever considers himself a human being dealing both with moral issues
and clinical issues.
Reverence for Life
Albert Schweitzer
The classic by one of the world's great humanitarians.
You Can Save the Animals: 251 Ways to Stop Thoughtless Cruelty
Ingrid Newkirk
From one of the great peacemakers of our day--the real ones who demand
nonviolence to all species--Ingrid Newkirk is among those whose deeds and words
should be honored, studied, and put into practice.
The Case for Animal Rights
Tom Regan
Very welcome to anyone who wants a "scientific" defense of animal rights.
Animal Liberation
Peter Singer
This book will continue to inspire people to take action against the cruelty against
and exploitation of animals.
Walking With the Great Apes: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birute Galdikas
Sy Montgomery
A sensitive and revealing contribution to the legend of a unique sisterhood telling of
three women who each gave her mature life to the love, study, and defense of another
primate species.
Through a Window: My Thirty Years With the Chimpanzees of Gombe
Jane Goodall
Dramatic saga of 30 years in the life of Gombe, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika,
where the principal residents are chimpanzees and one extraordinary woman.

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