Thomas Wentworth's Act of 1635 in Ireland, as well as Nathaniel Ward's contribution to the Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 establishes laws against cruelty to animals in America and Ireland almost 200 years prior to the passage of Richard Martin's Act of 1822, a Bill to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle. Since these contributions were largely unknown until the late 20th century, the modern era of anti-cruelty legislation is usually traced back to the precedence set by "Martin's Act" and the amendments and legislative enactments against cruelty to animals that followed. Although laws against cruelty to animals can be found in ancient mythology and religious teachings as well , dating back to remote antiquity, it is King Ashoka, in the 3rd century BCE who is considered the first to decree law not only for the protection of animals, creating the first list of "protected species but, progressive even by today's standards, proclaiming the slaughter of animals as food or for sacrifice unlawful."¹

The Bookworm, Carl Spitzweg

Animal Rights Timeline: Animal Rights—Animal Welfare—Humane History—Protection of Animals • Animal Rights Activists • Animal Rights Quotes • Animal Rights Law • Humane Education • Online Library of Primary Source Historical Literature • Free Full Text eBooks Against Cruelty to Animals

[Top of Page]