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Domesticated animals colonial charter5/31/2023 This Article will explore the changes within the legal world of the nineteenth century. Underlying the changes of the law were parallel changes of social attitude toward animals. As will be discussed, during the 1860's and 1870's Henry Bergh of New York City was a primary force in the adoption, distribution, and enforcement of these laws in the United States. The last half of the nineteenth century saw the adoption of anti-cruelty laws which became the solid foundation upon which today's laws still stand. During the first half of the century, lawmakers began to recognize that an animal's potential for pain and suffering was real and deserving of protection against its unnecessary infliction. The legal system began the century viewing animals as items of personal property not much different than a shovel or plow. The nineteenth century saw a significant transformation of society's attitude toward animals, (2) which was reflected in the legal system. "aws and the enforcement or observance of laws for the protection of dumb brutes from cruelty are, in my judgment, among the best evidences of the justice and benevolence of men." (1) The key focus is on Henry Bergh's efforts in the adoption of the 1867 New York Act. Article explains how the laws which deal with protection of animals from inappropriate human acts developed during the 1800's.
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