8 Countries that granted rights to animals, protecting them with the law

For many centuries, animals were considered goods. Even today, many people treat them this way and there are no rules that regulate their rights. However, some countries have established animal protection laws so that they are treated as living beings, and not as mere material property of their owners.

O incredible.club wants to talk to you about 8 countries where animals have rights and are protected by law against all kinds of abuse. Some emphasize the care of pets, although there are also those that protect the integrity of wild animals and herds.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the British Crown banned dog fighting, which at the time was quite common in England. This is how the Martin Act came about, which is based on 18th-century jurisprudence that protected the rights of horses and livestock in general, and was complemented by the Domestic Animals Protection Act of 1900.

In 1979, the five basic freedoms of animals were enacted to ensure their health, food and well-being. And in 1996, the Wild Mammals Act was introduced, which prohibits, among other things, the beating or maiming of animals and the illegal hunting of these mammals.

Although animal protection is governed by law in many countries, there are few cases where a pet has its own lawyer. This is the case of Switzerland, a nation where the government itself provides felines with a lawyer to prioritize their rights as living beings.

This benefit is guaranteed by the special laws of the country, such as the Tierschutzgesetz, established in 1978 to prohibit the mistreatment of animals under severe penalties of fines of up to 20,000 Swiss francs, depending on the severity of each case. Likewise, the use of cats for shows or any activity that causes them suffering is also prohibited.

After the animal protection measures taken in England, the French government created a law in favor of dogs and cats, which recognizes them as sensitive living beings that deserve the right to receive good care.

This law condemns those who mistreat their pets, sentencing them to a year in prison or more, depending on the level of abuse suffered by the animal. Also, if a couple adopts a pet and divorces, it will be taken into account when establishing custody by one of its owners.

Like France, Australia also recognizes by law that animals have feelings. And, if someone dares to mistreat your pet, you can be sentenced to up to two years in prison. Occasionally, the defendant must pay a fine ranging from $32,000 to $48,000, depending on the level of cruelty of the act.

In addition, the ATC Animal Protection Act authorizes third parties to enter strangers’ properties if they perceive an animal to be locked away or seriously injured as a result of mistreatment. In addition, if a driver finds an injured animal on the road, he must immediately take it to the veterinarian, whether or not he caused the accident.

Both humans and animals deserve decent treatment. Therefore, in its Magna Carta, the German parliament approved a law that considers them as living beings that must be respected. Thus, the State is responsible for the protection of animal life and the natural foundations of life.

By implementing the animal welfare law, the German authorities found themselves obliged to provide veterinary clinics and pet care centers across the country. The limitation of animal experiments is also contemplated, such as using them in cosmetic or analgesic tests.

In 2005, animal welfare became a federal issue in Austria. It includes the protection of farm animals such as horses, cows, sheep, poultry and farm fish, regulating the minimum requirements for breeding and maintenance.

In this sense, the federal government must promote the well-being of animals, condemning aggressors with sentences of up to one year in prison. Likewise, the possession of wild animals is prohibited, with special treatment due to the characteristics of these non-domesticated species.

Although animals are still subject to property rights, they are already considered sentient and autonomous living beings according to the laws in force in Portugal. With this, the owner of a pet is obliged to guarantee its well-being and avoid causing pain or any type of abuse.

In the case of couples going through a separation process, the pet they adopted during cohabitation must submit to the judge’s decisions to decide who it will stay with, as with the minor children of divorcees. In this sense, the economic condition of each owner is taken into account when defining custody.

In 1991, the Italian government drafted a law that regulates the rights and duties of domestic animals, called the “Animal Constitution”. Among the recognized rights is the civil registration of dogs and cats. Citizens who do not respect or mistreat animals are condemned to pay high fines according to the seriousness of the case.

However, a bill was recently enacted to consider pets as sentient beings, increasing penalties for those who kill them. In the future, experiments on animals, their exploitation in agriculture and the hunting of wild animals are expected to be prohibited.

Do you think all countries should contemplate a pet protection law? What measures can be taken to reduce the rate of animal abuse? Share your opinion with us in the comments.