The Protection of Animal Welfare

Abstract

The legal status of animals is considered as an “object” under property laws so they can be owned by humans. A controversial argument has been raised between animal welfarists and utilitarian views on the issues of “Are animals sentient?” and “Are they conscious of pain?” Scientifically, it is absolutely agreed that it is too difficult to prove such questions; as a result, animals cannot be the holders of rights. Bringing up the subject of animal welfare in order to protect animals from human treatment has been currently promoted instead of pushing for animal rights. Accordingly, the Five Freedoms principles that require human beings to treat animals humanely was primarily introduced in the United Kingdom, then has propagated all over the world. This article deals with the historical background of animal status through the debates of famous legal philosophers and current practices on animal welfare relating to the Five Freedoms principles. European Union and some developed countries have currently applied such principles on international trade issues later on.