Animal Rights: Should it Even Exist?

Question

Lets be realistic.

Animals don't pay taxes, they can't sign contracts, they can't own or trade property, they can't consent to anything, they cannot even philosophize their own concept of rights, etc. They act on instinct alone, and they certainly don't respect anyone else's rights.

Animals have the right to be eaten by me. That's it!

Answer 1

Actually animals can consent to obeying rules and animals do have rights, they have feelings after all whether you believe so or not.
I find animals to be more respectful than most human beings to be honest and btw a Gorilla guarded a kid who fell over the side into its enclosure and protected the kid till it came too, so don't tell me they are not respectful!

Answer 2

Well, that depends. If you're talking animal rights as far as extremist organizations like PETA go, then most certainly the movement should not exist.

HOWEVER, it should still be a crime to beat or otherwise abuse animals. Whether you believe we are created above the animals or whether you believe we are simply the highest of the animals, the fact is that we have a responsibility to take care of them, just like we have a responsibility to take care of the rest of the planet around us.

There is no excuse for the kind of abuse I've seen being done to some animals. So in THAT sense, it SHOULD exist.

Answer 3

Animal rights go a lot further than whether they are food or not. But while I accept we eat them as food they should be killed in a humane way.
I adore animals and love mine more than some people, certainly they are more sincere, they generally treat others as they have been treated...pretty fair way of working things I would say.
If they have no rights then would u say the teenagers that threw a cat in the bonfire were entitled to do so, she suffered massive pain and then had to be put down.
Hey lets hope there is no such thing as reincarnation, you might come back as a chicken on someones dinner plate.

Answer 4

Sure, but animals don't form governments, or corporations, they certainly DO grab territory, and they have the instinct to survive, which is enough. As for respecting rights, they respect the ecosystem - as for us, we're wiping out species every day.

Answer 5

ABSOLUTELY!!!! Are you saying that if a person didn't pay taxes, it would be ok to abuse, starve, or mistreat them?

And of course the act by instinct. What the hell is your point? In today's world, with overcrowded populations, a lack of resources, and insane animal abuse, we must protect animals more than ever!

Answer 6

everything should have rights, the only question is how far they extend. animals may be eaten or they may eat you, that is their nature. If they eat or attck you they will probably be destroyed. Just because we eat them does not mean we have to raise or butcher them with cruelty. A humanely raised animal is a healthier food source.

Answer 7

There was this hideous family I knew as a teen. The two brothers and a friend of there's used to enjoy tossing gasoline on dogs and lighting them on fire. I've never witnessed the act first hand.

So yes, animals do deserve basic rights such as not to be burned and/or buried alive.

Answer 8

No...Animals were here first...they are God's creatures and he did not make them so we could destroy them and their homes. They deserve the right to live here just like you do. Plus they are part of the circle of life and balance the cycle of our planet. Without animals our world could not function.

Answer 9

Animal life should be respected. All the exact same analogies could be used for unborn babies and children, yet it is ok to abort (murder) babies in this country.

Answer 10

You are right. It's called the food chain.
Although, I don't mind when the animal rights people jumping in when animals are being abused and live a life of constant pain. I DO mind when they tell me that it's wrong for me to go out and hunt.