animal rights

The extension of the concept of human rights to animals on the grounds that animals may not be able to reason but can suffer and are easily exploited by humans. The animal-rights movement is a general description for a wide range of organizations, both national and local, that take a more radical approach than the traditional welfare societies. More radical still is the concept of animal liberation, that animals should not be used or exploited in any way at all.

Background and methods Although there has long been concern for animals – the UK Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle in 1822 was the first legislation of its kind in the world – the animal-rights movement became established in Western countries in the late 1970s, following the publication of Animal Liberation by the Australian philosopher Peter Singer (1946– ). Animal-rights activists carry out campaigns against the fur and meat trades, vivisection, and blood sports, but also oppose other forms of animal exploitation such as zoos and the pet trade. Methods range from leafleting and demonstrations to illegal direct action, such as attacking butcher's shops and releasing animals from vivisection laboratories.