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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1660-1785] Enlightenment: » Humphrey Primatt

Humphrey Primatt

Duty of Mercy and Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals

[1776] Humphrey Primatt, A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals (London, 1776; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks).

However men may differ as to speculative points of Religion, JUSTICE is a rule of universal extent and invariable obligation. We acknowledge this important truth in all matters in which MAN is concerned, but then we limit it to our own species only.…To rectify this mistaken notion is the design of this treatise, in which I have endeavored to prove, that as the Love and Mercy of God are over all of his works, from the highest rational to the lowest sensitive, our Love and Mercy are not to be confined within the circle of our own friends, acquaintance, and neighbours; nor limited to the more enlarged sphere of human nature, to creatures of our own rank, shape, and capacity; but are to be extended to every object of the Love and Mercy of GOD the universal Parent; who, as he is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, will undoubtedly require of Man, superior Man, a strict account of his conduct to every creature entrusted to his care, or coming in his way; and who will avenge every instance of wanton cruelty and oppression, in the day in which he will judge the world in RICHTEOUSNESS. (i-iv)

What should we think of a stout and strong Man, that should exert his fury and barbarity on a helpless and innocent Babe ? Should we not abhor and detest that man, as a mean, cowardly, and savage wretch, unworthy the stature and strength of a man? No less mean, cowardly, and savage is it, to abuse and torment the innocent Beast, who can neither help himself or avenge himself; and yet has as much right to happiness in this world as a child can have; nay, more right, if this world be his only inheritance. (47)

Whilst he lives [the brute] has a right to happiness. (53)

There are Three Instances of Regard, which the Creatures, who are instructed to our care, in consideration of their service, and dependence upon us, have an undoubted right to, and which on the principles of natural Religion they may justly demand of us; and these are FOOD, REST, and TENDER USAGE. These three demands of Food, Rest, and Tender Usage, the Goodness of the great GOD their Creator has been pleased to covenant for on their behalf, and to enjoin and ratify in his written Laws. (147)

The soil is the property of GOD, the Lord Paramount of the Manor, who hath made the grass to grow for the CATTLE. The grass of the field therefore is no gift of your's to them; it is their right; their property; it was provided for them, and given to them, before man was created. (151-2)

The laborious Beast of every kind, whether Ox, or Horse, or Ass, has a just right to every refreshment of nature. (177)

For as SABBATH was ordained for beast as well as man, though the beast is not capable of keeping the sabbath as a day of Sanctification, he hath by the command of God a right to a Sabbath as a day of Rest and Blessing. (197-8)

To neglect, or abuse, or ill treat our own Cattle, is cruelty of a heinous nature; because They have a right to our Care and Tenderness: and if any man Provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the Faith,and is worse than an Infidel. But our Mercy and REgard is not to rest there. It is further our duty to be always ready to relieve and succour the Miserable, whether known or unknown to us. Any Beast in distress, be it Ox, or Ass, or Sheep, or other Animal, has a claim upon us of Assistance. (253)

No Creature is so insignificant, but whilst it had Life, it has a Right to Happiness. To deprive it of Happiness is Injustice; and to put it to unnecessary Pain is Cruelty. It is very unreasonable therefore, if not foolish in men, to estimate the degree of the sin of cruelty to any creature by the value we set upon the creature itself; or to suppose that difference of size, or difference of beauty, are foundations of real difference as to the feelings of Brutes. A Fly had feeling as well as an Ox; and a Toad has a much right of happiness as a Canary Bird; for the same GOD made the Ox, and the Fly and the Toad and the Bird... For Cruelty to a Brute is odious and abominable, whether it be to a Beast, a a Bird, or a Fish, or a Worm. Be the creature never so insignificant in our estimation, we cannot put it to any degree of pain without a violation of the Laws of Nature; because every living creature is the work of the GOD of Nature. (259-60; 270-1)