Animal Bill of Rights
A Petition to the South African Parliament
I, the undersigned, believe that animals, like all sentient beings,
are entitled to basic legal rights in our society. Deprived of legal
protection, animals are defenseless against exploitation and abuse
by humans. As no such rights now exist, I urge you to pass legislation
in support of the following basic rights for animals:
- THE RIGHT of animals to be free from exploitation,
cruelty, neglect and abuse.
- THE RIGHT of laboratory animals not
to be used in cruel or unnecessary
experiments.
- THE RIGHT of farm animals to an environment that satisfies
their basic physical and psychological needs.
- THE RIGHT of companion
animals to a healthy diet, protective shelter, and adequate medical
care.
- THE RIGHT of wildlife to a natural habitat, ecologically
sufficient to a normal existence and self-sustaining species
population.
- THE RIGHT of animals to have their interests represented
in court and safeguarded by the law of the land.
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