Do non-human animals have rights?

Question

Animal rights hasn't been around very long...only about 30-40 years. I find myself facing questions regarding animal rights every day. Is it really acceptable to farm animals? If it is, is factory farming okay? If eating animals acceptable? Is it acceptable to hunt and fish? Is it morally acceptable to use animals as a source of entertainment in zoos? I'm curious about what other people think. Thanks.

Answer 1

I think that is such a good question. Me personally, you have to think about a few things when answering a question like this. First if all... yes, animal do have rights. But I think that only pertains to when a person keeps them as pets. When they are for show it is for educational purposes.

Imagine. I know because we live in the United States within those 49 states we would NEVER see a polar bear. Or Imagine never seeing a gorilla.

These animals do have rights. But when an animal is breed for being "slaughtered", they have no rights other than it is illegal that they be abused an left to be uncared for. Farming animals is how more than half of the population eat.  Hamburgers, hotdogs, eggs,steak.... ect. If it wasnt for farming and factory farming we would all be either vegetarians or cannibals! lol Just playin.

But I hope I answered your question.

Answer 2

Whether you like it or not, humans take top priority in this world. We have the right to use animals to enhance our lives in which ever way we want to, as long as it doesn't cause unnecessary suffering of the animals (i.e. no torturing animals for sadistic pleasure).

Biologically, the term 'animal' encompasses all living things in the Kingdom Animalia, from bacteria to elephant. But people only tend to argue for the rights of bigger/cuter/more 'animal-like' animals.

e.g. If I chopped off a cute bunny's leg in front of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), they'll be all over my face telling me how wrong I was. But if I plucked a fruit fly's leg in front of them they wouldn't care half as much.

In both cases, I would cause equal suffering to an animal (i.e. amputation). But the reaction I receive from animal rights people would be very different.

This makes me believe that people argue for animal rights not because they don't want animals to suffer, but rather. they don't want to SEE animals suffer.

This is proven by the fact that their reaction is stronger toward the bunny's suffering simply because the bunny's pain is more apparent than that of a fruit fly.

Regarding the current state of the world (with the Darfur genocide and such), I think we should worry about human rights first.

Answer 3

I'm a vegetarian/vegan, but not because I think eating animals is wrong (I just don't like meat or milk). I think it's okay to farm animals because people need them to eat and stay healthy, otherwise everyone would have to eat veggies and soy products (bad idea). I don't think some animals should be kept in zoos and used as a source of entertainment. I saw elephants being abused at the Swap Shop a couple of years ago, it was horrible (but the circus got fired).

Answer 4

Yeah.  Animals aren't people.  They deserve to be treated humanely.  But we're people.  And they're not.  

We as people can't even leave each other alone.  We can't even agree on rights for each other.  Things that are not "morally acceptable" go on every day but to other people.   We should figure that out before we start giving the animals rights.  

We should do our very best to ensure they don't suffer.  People who intentionally hurt animals should be punished.  But a dog, no matter how cute he is, is not a person.  1,000 dead cute little lab mice aren't worth more then the life of some sick kid who could be saved in the future by research using those mice.  

Answer 5

i mean i dont think its good to raise them in slaughter houses where they spend their life waiting to die but them being at the zoo seems okay. they are taken care of and kept happy.

:]

Answer 6

Only humans have rights.  Animals have rights if they are property.  That is the case in livestock and pets.  If you bought an animal it is consider property.  You can insure it, protected and included in wills.  But, no animal has any right even close to yours.  Hopefully they never will.  Our legal system is a mess as it is.