Hot Topic (1/4): Do non-human animals have rights?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

The claim that animals have ‘rights’ was first put forward by the Australian philosopher Peter Singer in the 1970s and has been the subject of heated and emotional debates ever since. There are many contexts in which the question of ‘animal rights’ comes up.

Should we farm animals? If so by what techniques?

Should we eat animals? Should we hunt and fish them?

Is it morally acceptable to use animals as sources of entertainment in the context of zoos, circuses, horse racing etc.?

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What is your opinion?

Do animals have rights?  Why or why not?

[CODYSMOM_00]

yes, and thay have feelings too. i can't stand to hear about animal cruelty. it makes me sick!!!!!

[cherry41089]

yes they should becuz technically humans are animals and we have rights so why not the rest of the animals

[Talee]

 

[lolamac]

Should we farm animals? If so by what techniques?

Should we eat animals? Should we hunt and fish them?

Is it morally acceptable to use animals as sources of entertainment in the context of zoos, circuses, horse racing etc.?

* * *

What is your opinion?

Do animals have rights?  Why or why not?

IMO, they should not be abused/neglected. Their health and well being should be kept in good standing. This goes for domestic pets, animals for the purpose of eating and animals used in the purpose of entertainment.

That being said, Yes we can eat them and hunt them and fish.

I am a firm believer that humans were put on the Earth to have dominion over the animals (not sure what Bible passage right off the bat).

 

[JakesGirl09]

I do believe animals, certain kinds anyway seeing as how we clearly aren't going to eat a cat or dog, were put here for us to hunt & fish for food. However, I very firmly stand by my belife that all animals should be treated good, they have a feelings just like we do. How would we like it if someone was beating us, starving us, forcing us to fight to the death...yes I realize that kind of human cruelty does happen but that's not the point. Animals are going to hurt phsyically & emotionally just as we do when these things are done. Animals should have rights.

[LisaLulu]

Maybe we should phrase this a little differently.  How about "what does it mean to be human?".  What moral and ethical obligations do we have to each other and to other forms of life?  I think by asking if animals have rights, you are placing the species homo sapiens as having an inherent right to rule over others and I, personally, question this.  Certainly we have the capacity to abuse our powers as satient beings, and we do, but just as most people believe it is wrong for more powerful beings to abuse others they have control over (abusive parents, soldiers, police officers, guards, etc), I do not believe we have the inherent right to limit the inherent rights of other beings.  In other words, yes, I believe all living things have the right to inhabit this world and fulfill the role they were instilled with.  That said, predators were instilled with the role of killing and eating other propagating creatures.  And that is why we were instilled with humanity, the sense of feeling a moral and ethical responsibility for the well-being of others.  I could go on but I have to go behead a chicken for dinner...

 

[EireLass]

I don't know so much as "they" have rights, as much as we should be held to strict standards regarding their welfare.

I have a service dog, and another in training. The penalties, regarding abuse, etc, towards them is high, compared to my 3rd dog, who is a "regular" dog.

Yes, I think we should farm animals...humans are omnivores. But again....I think we should be held to a much stricter standard of care.

The entertainment....again, if well cared for....no problem.

[zboys]

Genesis 1:27-28 "God created male and female. Then God blessed them and said to them, ". . . have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth." We are on top of the food chain.

[Talee]

 I believe God created animals for us and we should take care of them...

Farming animals, the way it is most commonly done today is disgusting and I am sure not what God intended.

Zoos, racing etc...if greed is bigger than the love for the animals...then you will have problems with people doing shortcuts on care etc...their only focus is on money.

I do think zoos are important because as fast as things are going extinct we need a place to at least keep species going if at all possible.

 

[mommy_2_be_2010]

every animal has  rights i  dont think animals like whales sould be hunted for their blubber ect i think they should be respected and loved. as for the animals that are on the verge of extinction they should be bred and placed in an enviornment where they can keep mating until their species is up then release them back into the wild. domesticated animals dogs house cats and some birds should be treated fairly and justly much the same way we are.