Is an Animal a Legal Person?
Video of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Open Program on "Debating Animals as Legal Persons" is now available to watch online. This session, held on January 5, 2008 as part of the AALS annual conference, explored the legal and normative bases for personhood and why nonhuman animals have been excluded from its ambit.The guest panelists included: (Chair) Joan Schaffner, associate professor of law, George Washington University Law School; (Moderator) Katherine Hessler, professor and director of Lewis & Clark Law School's Animal Law Clinic; (Panelists) Taimie Bryant, professor of law, UCLA Law School; David Cassuto, associate professor of law, Pace Law School; David Favre, professor of law, Michigan State University Law School; and Steven Wise, adjunct professor of law, Vermont Law School, St. Thomas University School of Law.
As a result of this Open Program and the efforts and support of the panelists, the Animal Law Section was formally adopted by the AALS Executive Committee in June 2008.
FIRST VIDEO:
Is an Animal a Legal Person?
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No joke!
Well, we all can add this to the long list of perversions this legal system is coming to. I saw once at the airport a young couple treating their German Sheperd dog, like if it was a child. They took pictures of him, hug and kissed him. All the while a pilot and others around myself included were amuse of the whole ridiculous thing.
Given the fact that some people are commiting sexual acts with animals . Others are refering to their pets as "my or our baby", is not surpising this new development. We all could see it coming. So the next time a Pittbull attacks a child and kills him/her. IT will be assigned one of this lawyers to defend it, of course all paid for by everybody else taxes . The next they'll right to a room in the Pediatrics or Maternity rooms in Hospitals.
Well, given the fact that so many people behave and conduct themselves worst than animals.
Is sickening to think of what this people might come up with next. Best case scenario the right to vote.
- Salero21
April 27, 2009 5:32PM
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Worth watching
This panel discussion is well worth watching for anyone seriously interested in the issue of animals and the law . You will learn something about how the law often impedes progress on the treatment of animals and also how it can evolve to facilitate progress. Many fascinating questions are raised in the course of this lengthy discussion. (For example: Is legal personhood a help or a hindrance? What does genetic engineering imply for our relationship to non-humans?) It's good to know that people like these, and many law students, are working for constructive change.
- Beast Man
April 27, 2009 8:28PM
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A long overdue discussion
Salero21 - You might be missing the point that this issue of " animal rights " and animal personhood is not only for the benefit
of the animals ; but also to further our progression into a more consistent and enlightened society .
Many including myself, view animals as victims trapped in a legal system which defines their purpose and their "rights" based on our "need". This is contrary to any possible objective or fair outcome. We cannot legislate a position with impartiality if we are the direct beneficiary of such judgements. After all, we are - "only
human". And humans will, left to their own devises, stack the deck to our favor every time. It is unfortunate that only a few
recognize this paradox and that the fate of animals is at the mercy of their captors.
I can only hope that as we progress, we might be able (in our "humaness") to empathize with their plight. And if I may risk sounding anthropomorphic... to view their disadvantage through their eyes. To do otherwise would be a tragic loss to man's potential as a fully aware (and compassionate) species. You see,
I think our end goal is to evolve away from our intellectually debilitating predator status. Keeping animals as slaves prohibits
this.
Your story about the dog in the airport... I too see it as ridiculous - not so much at the fawning by the dog's guardians; but rather at
the ridiculousness that an animal, should be in an airport to begin with. Considering a dog's nature and needs - I'm quite certain
an airport is hardly where one would wish to be.
If we could only realize that our continued use and dependancy on animals, keeps us wearing the proverbial "monkey suit"... When we finally see this, we will surely have made great strides in our development as a species.
Discussing and debating strategies that gets us to this point is long overdue. And I thank Animal Legal Defense Fund and Opposing Views for creating this forum to do such.
- Bea Elliott
April 27, 2009 11:05PM
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