Library of Animal Rights History » Animal Welfare-Animal Rights Laws-Acts, Legislation Against Cruelty to Animals, Animal Protection Law

Animal Rights Law - Romantic Age

Martin's Act and Modern Legislative Beginnings

Law-Age of Enlightenment « Law-Romantic Age » Law-Victorian Age

1786 [26 George III. c. 71. Knackers Act, 1786] An Act for Regulating Houses and other Places kept for the Purpose of Slaughtering Horses: "…Persons slaughering horses, &c. without licence, &c. to be deemed quilty of felony…punished by fine and imprisonment and such corporal punishment by publick or private whipping, or shall be transported beyond the seas for any time not exceeding seven yeards.…"[Its provisions extended in the 1800's cited "great cruelty"as reason for enactment.]

Early Attempts at Legislation

1800 | Great Britain Parliament [Sir William Pulteney] Bill to Prevent the Pratice of Bull-Baiting, 1800,

1802 | Great Britain Parliament [Mr. Dent, Sir Richard Hill], Bill to Prevent the Practice of Bull-Baiting, 1802

1809 | Great Britain Parliament [Lord Erskine], Bill to Prevent Wanton and Malicious Cruelty to Animals,1809

1810 | Great Britain Parliament [Lord Erskine], Bill to Prevent Wanton and Malicious Cruelty to Animals. 1810

1822 [3 George IV. c. 55. Metropolitan Police Act, 1822] Metropolitan Police An Act for the More Effectual Administration of Justice in the Office of a Justice of the Peace in and near the Metropolis, and for the More Effectual Prevention of Depredations on the River Thames and its Vicinity, for Seven Years: "…Every Person not being hired or employed to drive Cattle, who pelts with Stones or Brickbats, or by any other Means drives or hunts away, or sets any Dog or Dogs at any Ox, Heifer, Cow, Steer or other Cattle, without the Consent of the Owner of the same, or his Servant:…such Person shall…shall forfeit and pay…and in default of Payment shall be committed to the Common Gaol or House of Correction, there to be kept to hard Labour for any Time not exceeding Two Months on the First Conviction, nor Five Months on the Second and every future Conviction.

Modern Legislative Beginnings - Martin's Act

Thomas Wentworth's Act of 1635 in Ireland, as well as Nathaniel Ward's contribution to the Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 establishes law against cruelty to animals 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. However, it is King Asoka, in the 3rd century BCE that we must honor as being 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.

1822-Jul-22 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], [3 George IV. c. 71.] Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle, 1822, July 22.

1823 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], Bill to Prohibit Bull-Baiting and Dog-Fights, 1823

1825 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], Bill to Prevent Bull-Baiting and Other Cruel Practices, 1825

1825 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], Bill to Amend the Act for Preventing Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle, 1825

1826 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin] Bill for the More Effectual Prevention of Bear-Baiting, Dog-Fighting and other Cruel Sports

1826 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], Bill to Amend "An Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle"

1826 | Great Britain Parliament [Richard Martin], Bill to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Dogs, 1826

1825 [6 George IV. c. 43. Impounding Distresses in Ireland, 1825] An Act to Amend and Render More Effectual an Act made in Tenth Year of the Reign of King Charles the First, for Impounding of Distresses in Ireland: "…To prevent Abuse in the making and impounding of Distresses in Ireland…be it further enacted…if the Wall of the Pound of any such Keeper shall not be well and substantially built of Stone or Brick, and of the Height of Seven feet at the least; or if Three fourths at least of the Area of any such Pound shall not be scraped or swept Once in every Twenty four Hours at the least, or otherwise kept clean and in good order, and with a Sufficiency of wholesome Water for the Cattle which from time to time shall be kept therein…every such Pound Keeper shall, upon Conviction of any such Offence or Neglect, forfeit and pay a Sum not exceeding Five Pound.

1827 [7 & 8 George IV. c. 29. Larceny Act, 1827] An Act for Consolidating and Amending the Laws in England Relative to Larceny and other Offences Connected Therewith: Establishes penalties for stealing dogs, beasts and birds ordinarily kept in confinement; steeling deer, fish, oysters and oyster brood; killing, wounding or taking pigeons, house-doves, &c.; killing hares and coonies; steeling of horses, cows and sheep, punishable by death.

1827 [7 & 8 George IV. c. 30. Malicious Injury to Propery (England) Act, 1827] An Act for Consolidating and Amending the Laws in England Relative to Malicious Injuries to Property: "…And be it enacted, that if any person shall unlawfully and maliciously kill, maim, or wound any cattle, every such offender shall be guilty of felony…to be transported beyond the seas for life; or for any term not less than seven years or to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding four years; and, if a male, to be once, twice, or thrice publicly or privately whipped (if the court shall so think fit), in addition to such imprisonment.…Malice against the owner not essential to any offence under this Act.…"

1833 [3 & 4 William IV. c. 19. Metropolitan Police (England) Act, 1833] An Act for the More Effectual Administration of Justice in the Office of a Justice of the Peace in the Several Police Offices Established in the Metropolis, and for the More Effectual Prevention of Depredations on the River Thames and its Vicinity, for Three Years: Penalties for "fighting or baiting lions, bears, badgers, cocks, dogs, or other animals"; Prohibits nuisances in thoroughfares including 1. Display of animals for show or sale; feeding, foddering, shoeing, bleeding, farrying, cleaning, dressing, exerciseing, training or breaking any animal 2. Turning loose any Horse, Cattle or unmuzzled ferocious Dog, or urging any dog or other Animal to attack, worry, or put in fear any person, horse, or other Animal: 3. by Negligence or Ill-usage in driving Cattle shall cause any Mischief to be done by such Cattle, and also every Person not being hired or employed to drive such Cattle who shall wantonly and unlawfully pelt, drive, or hunt any such Cattle; Prohibits dog carts; Allows for destruction of rabid animals by police.

1835 [5 & 6 William IV. c. 59. Cruelty to Animals Act, 1835] An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Several Laws Relating to the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Animals, and the Mischiefs Arising from the Driving of Cattle, and to Make Other Provisions in Regard Thereto