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Unnecessary Pain & Suffering

Unnecessary Pain & Suffering. Prof. David Favre Michigan State Univ. College of Law 2013. www.animallaw.info. Week old Icelandic lambs.

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Unnecessary Pain & Suffering

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  1. Unnecessary Pain & Suffering Prof. David Favre Michigan State Univ. College of Law 2013

  2. www.animallaw.info

  3. Week old Icelandic lambs

  4. They (animals) are created, indeed, for our use, but not for our abuse. Their freedom and enjoyment, when they cease to be consistent with our just dominions and enjoyment, can be no part of their natures; but whilst they are consistent I say their rights, subservient as they are, ought to be as sacred as our own . .

  5. Horse Power • It was made illegal for any person to "wantonly and cruelly beat or ill-treat [] [any] horse, mare, gelding, mule, ass, ox, cow, heifer, steer, sheep or other cattle . . . ." The law imposed a "fine of not more than five pounds or less than ten shillings, or imprisonment not exceeding three months."

  6. Ethics into Law • If we assume there is social agreement that some limitations of human use of animals exist, how does the law state these rules? • Specific v. General prohibitions • A little legal history will show the path of social attitudes. – A legal historian..

  7. Tools of Legal Analysis • Which animals are protected? • Is human motivation an element? • Which action or inaction as relates to the animal is covered? • Is the listed language have to be judged in a social context before becoming illegal? • What is the level of punishment for violations? • Will the law be enforced?

  8. Early 1800’s in United States • Every person who [part one] shall • maliciously kill, maim or wound anyhorse, ox or other cattle, or any sheep, belonging to another, or [part two] shall • maliciously and cruelly beat or tortureany such animals, whether belonging to himself or another,

  9. Transition to Law

  10. Every person who [part one] shall • maliciously kill, maim or wound anyhorse, ox or other cattle, or any sheep, belonging to another, or [part two] shall • maliciously and cruelly beat or tortureany such animals, whether belonging to himself or another, • [1867 – New York] • torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, or unnecessarily or cruelly beat, or needlessly mutilate or kill any living creature, [no ownership statement]

  11. Federal Act on the Protection of Animals - Austria • § 5. (1) It is prohibited to inflict unjustified pain, suffering or injury on an animal or expose it to heavy fear.

  12. (510 ILCS 70/3.02) • § 3.02. Aggravated cruelty. • (a) No person may intentionally commit an act that causes a companion animal to suffer serious injury or death.

  13. Unlawful conduct Who decides where to draw the line? When is animal /human conduct:

  14. Who will do the balancing? Legislature Administrative/Executive Judiciary / Jury

  15. Balancing Interests – Illegal Actions

  16. Dog Fighting

  17. Section 2. FOR KEEPING A PLACE FOR COCK FIGHTING, BULL BAITING, DOG FIGHTING, ETC. • Any person who shall keep or use, or in any way be connected with, or interested in the management of, or shall receive money for the admission of any person to any place kept or used for the purpose of fighting or baiting any bull, bear, dog, cock, or other creature, and every person who shall encourage, aid or assist therein, or who shall permit or suffer any place to be so kept or used, shall, upon conviction thereof, be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor.

  18. Use by the middle class

  19. Use by the rich

  20. Ethical Use? Lawful Use?

  21. Ethical Goal • To live as natural a life as possible in order that an animal can experience life as fully as possible, given its inherent interests and capabilities. The opportunity to be themselves. • A good animal life: freedom from negatives v. experience the positives. • - food, water& shelter • - to be in a social group • - to hunt, to seek food • - to reproduce

  22. Public and Private Zoos

  23. Moving from Ethics to Law Individual Ethics Group Ethics Adopted Law

  24. Science & Chimpanzees

  25. What will the future judge as the unnecessary infliction of pain and suffering upon animals by humans?

  26. Role of Science in discovering: • How do animals feel pain? What is pain to an animal? • What does suffering mean in the context of various animal species – is suffering a matter of science or ethics….

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