Should animals have legal rights

[Princess]

The Swiss are in the process of expanding animal rights. Appointing lawyers for animals. Pigs can't be kept in 'solitary confinement' (stalls by themselves) on farms. Birds (house birds like budgies) can't be kept in cages by themselves.

Recently, a fisherman was taken to court because the 'battle' between the fish and fisherman lasted 10 minutes. For more information.....

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/2010/02/19/20100219swiss-animals0219.html





So what do you think....Should lawyers represent specific animals in court?

Not a group, like passing a law to prevent dog fights--but should a specific animal (my dog, for example) be allowed to sue me for abuse?

 

[MrMetroid]

I say no as... well how could that possibly happen?

 

[Jazzy]

Bill of Rights for Animals​

1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to existence.



2. All animals are entitled to respect. Humanity as an animal species shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or exploit other species. It is humanity's duty to use its knowledge for the welfare of animals. All animals have the right to the attention, care, and protection of humanity.



3. No animals shall be ill-treated or be subject to cruel acts.



4. All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural environment, whether land, air, or water, and should be allowed to procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of this right.



5. Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment have the right to live and grow at the rhythm and under the conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for purposes of gain is an infringement of this right.



6. All companion animals have the right to complete their natural life span. Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.



7. Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is incompatible with the rights of animals, whether it be for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research. Replacement methods must be used and developed.



8. No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity. Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with their dignity.



9. Any act involving the wanton killing of the animals is biocide, that is, a crime against life.



10. Any act involving the mass killing of wild animals is genocide, that is, a crime against the species. Pollution or destruction of the natural environment leads to genocide.



I, for one, agree with The Bill Of Rights for animals.

 

[Temerit]

I don't.

 

[Corleone]

lol Please tell me this is a hoax?

No comment. If dogs can sue us, can we sue them?

Let's say a dog bites me, can I take the dog to court, not the owners, but literally the dog? Because I don't know how a dog will be able to pay me for my medical bills or even testify in court. Scam maybe? I'm lost, but that is ridiculous.

 

[Corleone]

I don't know, but all these extremist who believe that they're animal lovers really need to back off and let pets be pets and animals be animals. They're constantly correcting people on how to treat their animals and pets, but unless you're the owner and the pet is being taken care of, we'll all treat and take care of our pets differently. Same with parenthood, not everything works the same for every parent. Some animals need to be in a fence, god forbid a lion roaming around my neighborhood or in my backyard at freewill, but for some dogs, that's not the case. I accidentally stepped on my dog's foot the other day, does this mean I'll be sued for all the doggy bones in my closet?

I love my dog, but I'm not going to testify against her in court.



For example, most animal right extremist would say that you should let your dog inside your house and stuff, but my dog is an outside dog. If we let her in, she'd ruin everything. But that's beside the point. I really believe that she is happy. We provide her with food and water, shelter, and she's healthy. We never let her inside. But, she loves it. She loves chasing the birds in our yard, she loves barking at the other dogs, and she loves the attention we give her. Who has the right to say I shouldn't be able to keep my dog outside? If I let her inside, she'd hate it, because the backyard has a lot more room, and our dog is constantly scavenging around the yard doing something entertaining.

 

[Jazzy]

The OP question (sorry makes no sense to me) we as humans speak for the animals who cannot speak for themselves. Who will speak for their rights when they cannot?



Ever go a zoo? I have and at the time I enjoyed looking at all the different animals but what gave humans the right to lock these animals in cages? Looking back at my visits to the zoo, I am saddened now. These animals are there (IMO) for the sole purpose of human enjoyment. Aren't we animals as well? Aren't prisions for humans a type of zoo where you are locked up and you are no longer in your natural environment? How come they don't sell tickets to go and watch and see the human zoos?



Sorry if I have offended anyone with my opinions on the rights I believe animals have.

 

[Corleone]

I've been to the zoo before, but I disagree with you. When I went, the animals were extremely active, well taken care of, and seemed to enjoy the attention. All the trainers and guides really had a passion for the animals and what they do, and even in a few cases, they rescued hurt/injured animals and have let them live in the zoo until they're ready to be released back into the wild. Ever been to the circus? I've been before, really enjoyed it. What I'm trying to say is how can you say that the animals at the zoo aren't happy? Like I've already said, they all seemed happy when I went, because they were really active and they didn't mind us being there. It was really a neat experience.

 

[MagitekElite]

Yes, I believe they should.



What if a dog's master makes it do something that will get it put to sleep? It's not the dog's fault, it's the master's fault. Just think of whale in Sea World.



Thank god that poor animal can still perform instead of being killed. The trainer wouldn't have wanted that to happen, cause the poor whale was playing >.>

 

[ThaBawse]

I believe animals should have the right to bear arms, and the right to vote.



For example, the SeaWorld whale incident. The whale should have totally been allowed to own and carry a M-16 with it, and been able to shoot the trainer. It's a quicker killing process than just shaking her around and repeatedly sinking her underwater. I know I'd love to get shot by a whale.

 

[Temerit]

I have and at the time I enjoyed looking at all the different animals but what gave humans the right to lock these animals in cages



What gives lions the right to eat water buffalo?

 

[Peaceful]

I have and at the time I enjoyed looking at all the different animals but what gave humans the right to lock these animals in cages



What gives lions the right to eat water buffalo?

Nature does.

 

[Princess]

The question is, how would you know your dog wanted to sue you?

Don't ask me. It seems like a double jeopardy type thing to me. You can already be arrested for cruelty or neglect of animals--why would a specific animal sue a human?

Like Nebulous's fish. If he neglected to change the water on Tuesday, but waited until Friday--is that considered cruelty to fish? Who knows.

 

[Princess]

Bill of Rights for Animals​

1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to existence.



2. All animals are entitled to respect. Humanity as an animal species shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or exploit other species. It is humanity's duty to use its knowledge for the welfare of animals. All animals have the right to the attention, care, and protection of humanity.



3. No animals shall be ill-treated or be subject to cruel acts.



4. All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural environment, whether land, air, or water, and should be allowed to procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of this right.



5. Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment have the right to live and grow at the rhythm and under the conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for purposes of gain is an infringement of this right.



6. All companion animals have the right to complete their natural life span. Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.



7. Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is incompatible with the rights of animals, whether it be for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research. Replacement methods must be used and developed.



8. No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity. Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with their dignity.



9. Any act involving the wanton killing of the animals is biocide, that is, a crime against life.



10. Any act involving the mass killing of wild animals is genocide, that is, a crime against the species. Pollution or destruction of the natural environment leads to genocide.



I, for one, agree with The Bill Of Rights for animals.

OK, fine. BUT, we're not talking about doing away with cruelty laws, we're not talking about neglecting an animal. We're talking about a specific animal being able to sue the owner for a specific act.

What if your cat didn't like it's catfood--you bought Meow Mix instead of Fancy Feast....does your cat have the right to sue you?

 

[McConnaughay]

I don't know, but all these extremist who believe that they're animal lovers really need to back off and let pets be pets and animals be animals. They're constantly correcting people on how to treat their animals and pets, but unless you're the owner and the pet is being taken care of, we'll all treat and take care of our pets differently. Same with parenthood, not everything works the same for every parent. Some animals need to be in a fence, god forbid a lion roaming around my neighborhood or in my backyard at freewill, but for some dogs, that's not the case. I accidentally stepped on my dog's foot the other day, does this mean I'll be sued for all the doggy bones in my closet?

I love my dog, but I'm not going to testify against her in court.



For example, most animal right extremist would say that you should let your dog inside your house and stuff, but my dog is an outside dog. If we let her in, she'd ruin everything. But that's beside the point. I really believe that she is happy. We provide her with food and water, shelter, and she's healthy. We never let her inside. But, she loves it. She loves chasing the birds in our yard, she loves barking at the other dogs, and she loves the attention we give her. Who has the right to say I shouldn't be able to keep my dog outside? If I let her inside, she'd hate it, because the backyard has a lot more room, and our dog is constantly scavenging around the yard doing something entertaining.

For the most part I truly agree with that.

 

[Princess]

lol Please tell me this is a hoax?

No comment. If dogs can sue us, can we sue them?

Let's say a dog bites me, can I take the dog to court, not the owners, but literally the dog? Because I don't know how a dog will be able to pay me for my medical bills or even testify in court. Scam maybe? I'm lost, but that is ridiculous.

Not a hoax. Did you read the link?

A fish sued the fisherman for taking to long to 'land' it.....

It's a bit absurd if you ask me.....

Who decides if 10 minutes to land a fish is cruel? If it is, how is landing a fish in 8 minutes any less cruel?

 

[Bluezone777]

To me, it just looks like a guy trying to make a quick buck under the guise of caring about animal's rights and I hope they vote no on that ridiculous proposal as the last thing anyone needs is more pointless and vastly unnecessary trials clogging up the system. The thing most people don't realize or want to realize is the fact that humans are animals as well as it's just that we like to think of ourselves as being better then them hence why we don't class ourselves as animals.

 

[Princess]

Exactly. If it's 'cruel' to take 10 minutes to land a fish--why not outlaw fishing? Seems like that would be simpler. Most of these laws just don't make sense. I don't think anyone here thinks it's OK to set a cat on fire, or shoot a dog with a bow and arrow, or train animals to fight to the death, but come on people some things are just too much.

 

[Corleone]

To: Judge