Do Animals Deserve Rights?

Hi There, I think you make a very good point. I do believe to a certain extent in the survival of the fittest...but that can be problematic as well. I think the strongest (fittest) must have compassion and has a responsibility to be empathetic. Therefore, while animals may not have the same rights as humans, we have a responsibility to treat them kindly. Cruelty cannot be tolerated. cheers,

No, but they do not deserve to be treated cruelly, either. One of the characteristics of rights is that the individuals themselves can "exercise" those rights. Such as the right to free speech, or to "gather," or to bear arms, etc. An animal cannot exercise rights on it's own accord. They cannot even "enforce" the basic rights in the US constitution, of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Oh, they LIVE, alright, but they do not have control over any RIGHT to life. They are sent to slaughter for food, they are hunted for food, but they CANNOT stand up to the hunter and say, "Hey, I have a right to LIFE, and YOU can't take that away from me!" Oh, yes we can! Animals are "accorded" rights only to the extent that we, as humans, GIVE them those rights, and "represent" (exercise) those rights FOR them. Similar to children. Children have a right to life, but since they are minors, they are not able to exercise that right. However, there are guardians, attorneys, representatives, etc. which are/can be appointed to exercise that right FOR the child. But when that child grows to the "age of majority," they, THEMSELVES, then take over the ability to exercise their own rights. According to the Judeo/Christian faith, God has given mankind the responsibility to "oversee" the animals, plants, earth, etc. We are given dominion over them, but the responsibility to take care of them, just as a parent takes care of their children. So, we all have the obligation to treat animals with kindness and respect, but they still are animals, and "below" us.