Introduction: Concepts of Animal Protection and Welfare including Obligations and Rights

The idea that animals used by people should not be treated like inanimate possessions but should be protected from actions which might cause suffering, is very old and widespread in human society. Irrespective of any law, many people have condemned those perceived as being cruel to animals. On the other hand, cruelty was part of some forms of human entertainment. In Europe, laws intended to prevent cruelty to dogs and horses were passed as long as 200 years ago and were gradually extended to other kinds of animals. Most early laws referred to companion animals and working animals but not to farm animals. Some laws protected animals against the forms of animal experimentation which were considered likely to cause substantial pain to the animals. Laws were also passed which proscribed some forms of entertainment involving animals as being cruel but others were still permitted. Laws aimed at preventing poor welfare in animals have become more wide-ranging, both in terms of species and the different animal uses, and have been passed in more and more countries.