Animal Animal RightsRights

Get outta my way !!Get outta my way !!

Just because our companions on this planet Just because our companions on this planet cannot speak, does not mean that we can do cannot speak, does not mean that we can do whatever we want or feel with them.whatever we want or feel with them.

Even a cursory reflection on animals reminds us Even a cursory reflection on animals reminds us what an enrichment they bring to our what an enrichment they bring to our existence.existence.

The horse was a key player in the opening up of our The horse was a key player in the opening up of our country and in our armycountry and in our army

The sheep provided our nation with a strong The sheep provided our nation with a strong financial start.financial start.

Captain Cook kept a pet goat, and took it home on retirement!!

Many of us grew upMany of us grew up

in homes with our pets.in homes with our pets.

Animals are an integral part of creation, as see in Animals are an integral part of creation, as see in the formative passages in the book of the formative passages in the book of beginnings, Genesis.beginnings, Genesis.

Both creation sagas include animals.Both creation sagas include animals.

The duty of humans is to be a co-governor with The duty of humans is to be a co-governor with God of the created order.God of the created order.

In these stories only vegetation is to be eaten by In these stories only vegetation is to be eaten by humans.humans.

It is not till after the great flood that God makes It is not till after the great flood that God makes a new agreement with Noah and animals a new agreement with Noah and animals become part of our diet.become part of our diet.

Zoophily….the humane treatment of animals.Zoophily….the humane treatment of animals.

The first national Society for the Prevention of The first national Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was inaugurated in Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was inaugurated in 1824 by Arthur Broome.1824 by Arthur Broome.

Broome, an Anglican Priest wrote in the Broome, an Anglican Priest wrote in the prospectus for the society:prospectus for the society:

‘‘The infliction of pain on any living creatureThe infliction of pain on any living creature

Is incompatible with Divine benevolence.’Is incompatible with Divine benevolence.’

The Society was deliberately founded onThe Society was deliberately founded on

Christian principles. Christian principles.

The MemorialThe Memorial

to horses,to horses,

2009.2009.

Canberra.Canberra.

Those who minister in Christ’s name minister to Those who minister in Christ’s name minister to the vulnerable and weak…the vulnerable and weak…

As they minister to Christ himself…(Matt 25).As they minister to Christ himself…(Matt 25).

Could it not follow then, that this paradigm of Could it not follow then, that this paradigm of generous, costly service could also flow on to generous, costly service could also flow on to human dominion over the animal world. ?human dominion over the animal world. ?

Realisation that animals are – like some humans- Realisation that animals are – like some humans- also vulnerable, unprotected, undefended, and also vulnerable, unprotected, undefended, and morally innocentmorally innocent

compels in us a response of moral generosity. compels in us a response of moral generosity.

Moral generosity.Moral generosity.

Animal Rights MovementsAnimal Rights Movements

Animal Animal Rights Rights

Animal Animal WelfareWelfare

Animal LiberationAnimal Liberation

TimelineTimeline

Plotinus in the 3rd century, Plotinus in the 3rd century,

refused medical refused medical

treatments derived treatments derived

from animals from animals

Plotinus in Raphael's School at Athens

If you have men who If you have men who will exclude any of God's will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, of compassion and pity, you will have men whoyou will have men who will deal likewise with will deal likewise with their fellow men. ~ their fellow men. ~ St. Francis of Assisi 1223ceSt. Francis of Assisi 1223ce

Leonardo da Vinci’s 1452-1519 Leonardo da Vinci’s 1452-1519

Describing man, he finds Describing man, he finds "we are of almost the same "we are of almost the same species, as Apes, Monkeys species, as Apes, Monkeys and the like…". In "Studies and the like…". In "Studies on the Life and Habits of Animals" Leonardo ascribes on the Life and Habits of Animals" Leonardo ascribes emotional and moral characteristics to animals, emotional and moral characteristics to animals, suggesting perhaps the superiority of some over men: suggesting perhaps the superiority of some over men: "The huge elephant has by nature what is rarely found "The huge elephant has by nature what is rarely found in man; that is Honesty, Prudence, Justice…". in man; that is Honesty, Prudence, Justice…".

1875 - 1875 - National Anti-Vivisection Society National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)(NAVS)

Mark TwainMark Twain, , 19001900Scientific Research / Pains of Lowly LifeScientific Research / Pains of Lowly Life

‘‘I believe I am not interested to know whether I believe I am not interested to know whether Vivisection produces results that are profitable Vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't. To know that the to the human race or doesn't. To know that the results are profitable to the race would not results are profitable to the race would not remove my hostility towards it.’remove my hostility towards it.’

NAVS say that "millions of animals suffer and NAVS say that "millions of animals suffer and die in cruel, unscientific, and futile die in cruel, unscientific, and futile experiments. The NAVS advocates the experiments. The NAVS advocates the prohibition of all animal experiments and, prohibition of all animal experiments and, pending the achievement of this aim, we may pending the achievement of this aim, we may support partial measures of reform which support partial measures of reform which would provide steps towards the abolition of would provide steps towards the abolition of vivisection."vivisection."

SPCASPCAThe first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty The first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Australia was formed in to Animals in Australia was formed in Victoria.Victoria.

Tasmania 1872Tasmania 1872

NSW 1873NSW 1873

South Australia 1875South Australia 1875

Queensland 1883 Queensland 1883

Western Australia 1892Western Australia 1892

RSPCA Act was formed in 1955RSPCA Act was formed in 1955

1956 the societies were given the Royal 1956 the societies were given the Royal Warrant and the became known as the Royal Warrant and the became known as the Royal Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.Animals.

AVWA, Western Australia's ANTI-AVWA, Western Australia's ANTI-VIVISECTION society since 1929!VIVISECTION society since 1929!

Non-animal research methods that are Non-animal research methods that are available. available.

Epidemiologic Studies Epidemiologic Studies Clinical Research Clinical Research In-Vitro Research In-Vitro Research Computer Modelling Computer Modelling Replacing Animals in Safety TestsReplacing Animals in Safety Tests

Pig FarmingPig Farming

Most of Australia’s 340,000 breeding pigs Most of Australia’s 340,000 breeding pigs spend all or part of their 16 week pregnancy in spend all or part of their 16 week pregnancy in a sow stalla sow stall..

Current Questionable PracticesCurrent Questionable Practices

Shortly before giving birth, the sow is moved Shortly before giving birth, the sow is moved into an even narrower pen called a farrowing into an even narrower pen called a farrowing crate, which separates the sow from her crate, which separates the sow from her piglets.piglets.

When the piglets are weaned, the sow is When the piglets are weaned, the sow is impregnated and returned to the sow stall impregnated and returned to the sow stall where the cycle starts again.where the cycle starts again.

At 5-6 months of age the piglets are At 5-6 months of age the piglets are transported to the abattoir to be slaughtered.transported to the abattoir to be slaughtered.

  

Only around one quarter of Australian pig Only around one quarter of Australian pig producers do not use sow stalls at all.producers do not use sow stalls at all.

ChickensChickens

Over 480 million chickens are killed for their Over 480 million chickens are killed for their flesh in Australia every year. flesh in Australia every year.

Birds are selectively bred to grow much Birds are selectively bred to grow much faster than their bodies can copefaster than their bodies can cope . .

Eggs aren’t really Eggs aren’t really

all they're cracked all they're cracked

up to be either. up to be either.

In Australia, around 11 million hens are In Australia, around 11 million hens are locked in locked in tiny wire cagestiny wire cages (called battery (called battery cages) with up to 5 other birds. cages) with up to 5 other birds. 

CattleCattle

FeedlotsFeedlots are factory farms for cattle. Cattle are factory farms for cattle. Cattle may spend up to a year in these miserable may spend up to a year in these miserable places before being slaughtered as 'grain places before being slaughtered as 'grain fed' beef. fed' beef.

Every year roughly 9 Every year roughly 9

million cattle are million cattle are

killed for meat in Australia. killed for meat in Australia.

At 2 years of age, a young At 2 years of age, a young female cow is impregnated. female cow is impregnated. When her calf is born he is When her calf is born he is taken awaytaken away within 24 hours within 24 hours of birth and usually killed of birth and usually killed before he is even five days old. before he is even five days old.

She is then reimpregnated 6-9 weeks later, and She is then reimpregnated 6-9 weeks later, and this cycle continues until she can no longer this cycle continues until she can no longer produce enough milk to be considered a produce enough milk to be considered a ‘profitable unit’. Then, she too is killed.‘profitable unit’. Then, she too is killed.

SheepSheepAustralia has more sheep than any other Australia has more sheep than any other country on the planet, roughly 82 million.country on the planet, roughly 82 million.

Young lambs are routinely Young lambs are routinely subjected to painful surgical subjected to painful surgical procedures without pain relief. procedures without pain relief.

Around 33 million sheep are killed every Around 33 million sheep are killed every year for their flesh in Australia. That’s 13 year for their flesh in Australia. That’s 13 million adults and 20 million lambs. million adults and 20 million lambs.

KangarooKangaroo

There are 48 species of macropods There are 48 species of macropods (kangaroos) in Australia. Of these only 4 can (kangaroos) in Australia. Of these only 4 can be commercially harvested. be commercially harvested.

On the 18On the 18thth May 2009 6000 Kangaroos were May 2009 6000 Kangaroos were culled not harvested on an army training camp culled not harvested on an army training camp near Canberra.near Canberra.

The killings were intended to protect The killings were intended to protect endangered plants and insects that share the endangered plants and insects that share the grassy habitat with the kangaroos. grassy habitat with the kangaroos.

There were protestsThere were protests

But it still went aheadBut it still went ahead

The DebateThe Debate

What is important?What is important?

What should be done?What should be done?

Do any go far enough?Do any go far enough?

Social effects of increased awareness of Social effects of increased awareness of animal rightsanimal rights

““animal protection is potentially the next great animal protection is potentially the next great social justice movement”social justice movement”

David Wiesbrot AM President the Australian law reform commissionDavid Wiesbrot AM President the Australian law reform commission

VegetariansVegetarians

Becoming a vegetarian may be a health issue Becoming a vegetarian may be a health issue

However However

It may be ethical, It may be ethical,

related to environmental reasonsrelated to environmental reasons

related to animal protectionrelated to animal protection

eating animal products and flesh is wrongeating animal products and flesh is wrong

eating animals that have not been cared for with respect eating animals that have not been cared for with respect and compassion is wrongand compassion is wrong

VegetariansVegetarians Semi-vegetarians i.e. flexitariansSemi-vegetarians i.e. flexitarians

Choosing to eat free-range chickens and other humanely treated Choosing to eat free-range chickens and other humanely treated animals when available.animals when available.

Ovo-lacto vegetariansOvo-lacto vegetariansDo not eat any animals but do eat eggs and /or dairy productsDo not eat any animals but do eat eggs and /or dairy products

VegansVegans

Eat no animal products, no dairy, no honeyEat no animal products, no dairy, no honey

FruitariansFruitarians

Eat only fruit and fruit type vegetable, e.g. tomatoes and cucumbersEat only fruit and fruit type vegetable, e.g. tomatoes and cucumbers

Raw / Living foodists Raw / Living foodists Eat only raw food, because enzymes are destroyed by normal cooking Eat only raw food, because enzymes are destroyed by normal cooking processesprocesses

Impact of Animal protection lobbyingImpact of Animal protection lobbying

Woolworths and the ban of caged eggsWoolworths and the ban of caged eggs

August 2009 Woolworths announce no cage eggs in August 2009 Woolworths announce no cage eggs in their ‘Woolworths select’ range of products. their ‘Woolworths select’ range of products.

Jump RacingJump Racing

Currently there are attempts to ban horse jumps racing in Victoria Currently there are attempts to ban horse jumps racing in Victoria and South Australia as they are the only states continuing this and South Australia as they are the only states continuing this sport. It causes horse injuries and death.sport. It causes horse injuries and death.

Use of Animals in EntertainmentUse of Animals in Entertainment MoviesMovies

Disclaimer at the end of movies Disclaimer at the end of movies started after a horse died after started after a horse died after plunging down a cliff in a 1940 plunging down a cliff in a 1940 moviemovie

CircusesCircusesAnimal protection societies regulate Animal protection societies regulate the care and protection of performing the care and protection of performing animalsanimals

TheatreTheatreTreatment care and protection of Treatment care and protection of animals regulatedanimals regulated

Internet sourcesInternet sources

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

http://www.peta.org/

Voiceless: The Animal Protection Institute http://www.voiceless.org.au

American Humane Association

http://www.americanhumane.org