Good Samaritan Law: Advocates who rescue animals in grave danger should qualify for ‘necessity defense’
Good Samaritan Law: Advocates who rescue animals in grave danger should qualify for ‘necessity defense’
The ‘necessity defense’ essentially excuses an offense because averting a greater harm justifies committing this lesser harm. Often, the crime being excused is a property-based one, such as trespass. The legal statute requires the defendant acted in an emergency to prevent a significant bodily harm or evil to himself or herself or “someone else.” It doesn’t say that it has to be another human. When we think about who can experience significant bodily harm — it’s a being who is sentient and can experience pain. There is no reason why that couldn’t be a dog or a horse or a […]
PROJECT PHOENIX: Have we lost our nerve as an animal rights movement?
PROJECT PHOENIX: Have we lost our nerve as an animal rights movement?
Is the animal rights movement spending too much energy making exploitation a little less cruel by working for welfare reforms? Welfare reforms can reduce immediate suffering in the short term, while abolitionists keep the vision of freedom alive and expand what society believes is possible. But history shows us: when welfare becomes the main story of our movement, the public starts to see cruelty (not exploitation) as the problem, and kindness (not freedom) as the solution. Our challenge is not to choose between these approaches, but to ensure they reinforce each other – that reforms bring us closer to ending […]
‘Voices of the Herd’: New book explores the social and emotional lives of cows
‘Voices of the Herd’: New book explores the social and emotional lives of cows
Cows are intellectually curious and emotionally complex. They have rich emotional lives: They form lifelong friendships, grieve losses, protect vulnerable herd members, and show curiosity and playfulness. When a herd member dies, friends lick the body, moo loudly, and sometimes stand vigil where they were buried. The book ‘Voices of the Herd’ reframes cows as individuals with intrinsic worth, not commodities. The photographs and stories present them with dignity and emotional depth, encouraging people to see cows as beings deserving respect… Cows are highly intelligent and deeply sentient and emotional beings with distinct individual personalities. Each and every individual has […]
