Animal Cruelty Essay
Irlanda Incer
Richardson
Honors English 3(B)
3/9/14
Animals Should Have Rights
If a dog is considered man’s best friend then why is it so common nowadays for some people to mistreat dogs and other innocent animals? Animals are a big part of our lives; animals feed us, help us, entertain us, and even keep us company. We need them as much as they need us. Even though animals are not perceived as superior or even equals to humans, they still have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. Animals are emotional beings that will suffer when mistreated. Humans often take advantage of animals for their own selfish needs; cruelty to animals should not be an option.
Animals feel emotion and pain just like humans do. They experience love, anger, happiness, and pain, among other things. It’s believed that some animals, like dolphins and chimpanzees, have the mental capacity of a young child. In fact when young dolphins are separated from their parents, pain and anxiety is in the adults is triggered. It is believed that when dolphins get extremely stressed, many of them actually stop breathing and basically commit suicide (Tomlinson). Dolphins aren’t the only ones to show emotion, as “…there is growing evidence that animals, from mice to elephants, can be empathetic, to recognizing pain and suffering in others that are not kin. Pilot whales have been seen pummeling and driving away orcas attempting to kill a gray whale calf off the coast of California” (Morell). If animals can display empathy to other species, why shouldn’t people do the same?
In some of the most popular theme parks, zoos, and aquariums animals are being incarcerated for the sole benefit of human entertainment. The beautiful orcas people see in some popular aquariums
Richardson
Honors English 3(B)
3/9/14
Animals Should Have Rights
If a dog is considered man’s best friend then why is it so common nowadays for some people to mistreat dogs and other innocent animals? Animals are a big part of our lives; animals feed us, help us, entertain us, and even keep us company. We need them as much as they need us. Even though animals are not perceived as superior or even equals to humans, they still have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. Animals are emotional beings that will suffer when mistreated. Humans often take advantage of animals for their own selfish needs; cruelty to animals should not be an option.
Animals feel emotion and pain just like humans do. They experience love, anger, happiness, and pain, among other things. It’s believed that some animals, like dolphins and chimpanzees, have the mental capacity of a young child. In fact when young dolphins are separated from their parents, pain and anxiety is in the adults is triggered. It is believed that when dolphins get extremely stressed, many of them actually stop breathing and basically commit suicide (Tomlinson). Dolphins aren’t the only ones to show emotion, as “…there is growing evidence that animals, from mice to elephants, can be empathetic, to recognizing pain and suffering in others that are not kin. Pilot whales have been seen pummeling and driving away orcas attempting to kill a gray whale calf off the coast of California” (Morell). If animals can display empathy to other species, why shouldn’t people do the same?
In some of the most popular theme parks, zoos, and aquariums animals are being incarcerated for the sole benefit of human entertainment. The beautiful orcas people see in some popular aquariums
Cited: "Blackfish Official Film Site." Blackfish Official Film Site. Knap., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. "Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji." Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji. Oceanic Preservation Society, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Morell, Virginia. "Opinion: Real Tragedy of Taiji Is Our Inhumanity Toward Animals." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 02 Feb. 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. "Sir Paul McCartney Narrates 'Glass Walls ' | Take Action | PETA.org.uk 1." Sir Paul McCartney Narrates 'Glass Walls ' | Take Action | PETA.org.uk 1. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014. "Stop Gassing." Stop Gassing. American Humane Association, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. "Ten Things You Didn 't Know About SeaWorld." Sea World of Hurt: Where Happiness Tanks. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. Tomlinson, Simon. "Did Mother of Albino Dolphin Commit Suicide after Japanese Fishermen Take Its Calf during Mass Slaughter?" Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 21 Jan. 2014. Web. 27 Feb.