Library of Animal Rights History » Animal Welfare-Animal Rights Activists-Advocates-Quotes Against Cruelty to Animals

Dr. James Macaulay

1817-1902

1839 | Dr. James A. Macaulay, Essay on Cruelty to Animals (London, 1839; Online at Google Books).

Essay on Cruelty to Animals

A Prize of Twenty Sovereigns, offered to the Students of the Theological Faculty, for the best Essay on 'Cruelty to Animals,' was awarded to James Macaulay, M.A."

1875 | Dr. James A. Macaulay, Plea for Mercy to Animals [First Edition: London, 1875] 2nd Edition (London, 1881; Online at Animal Rights History, 2003).

Plea for Mercy to Animals

Dr. James Macaulay in A Plea for Mercy to Animals, arguing against "the ill–usage and needless suffering which the lower animals undergo at the hands of man" suggests—

Claims of the Lower Animals to Humane Treatment from Man

Where [cruelty is] wantonly inflicted, stern repression is needed, and the helpless creatures must have such protection as the law can give.…If the injuries are caused by ignorance or by thoughtlessness, we must point out the reality of the suffering, and try to awaken sympathy for dumb animals ; teaching also that want of thought does not release from moral responsibility and just blame.

[Since] the barriers offered by difference of nation, of country, of race, have been gradually removed…it is not surprising that the exercise of compassion should be extended beyond the equally arbitrary limit of our own species.

Dr. James Macaulay cites precepts and other religious passages to prove that "the same principles of equity are expected to apply to the relations between all God's creatures, and that the rules of justice and mercy are of universal obligation." Elaborations upon instinct and reason, as well as anecdotal illustrations, showing that animals act with "intelligence and will," further strengthen his argument against cruelty to animals.

If, as some wise and good men have supposed, there may be a place for lower creatures [with] man in a future world, we should feel the responsibility of our relation to them now all the greater. Or, if we regard them only as a passing part of the present system of things, then, in knowing that death is the end of their little existence, we have the strongest motive to let them enjoy their brief life, and cruelty appears the greater injustice.

Various Forms of Needless Suffering Inflicted by Man

Macaulay points out "the chief ways in which cruelty to animals is shown…in order to expose and prevent such wrong–doing." Addressing the "various kinds of suffering inflicted upon animals used for the food of man," he asserts—

In the shipment and sea transport of cattle, sheep, and other live animals…the horrors are like those we used to read of in the holds of the slave-trade ships.

Macaulay continues with descriptions of the needless cruelties perpetrated upon animals used for clothing, to assist in the labors of man, for man's amusements and for sport.

Means of Prevention, Legal and Educational

Elaborating on legislative enactments, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals and the education of children, as "means of prevention, legal and educational," Dr. Macaulay is confident that "it is by the education of the young, and by the influence of public opinion that in this, and in many other social questions, the greatest good can be done"

For the prevention of some kinds of cruelty to animals it is now universally admitted that the Legislature should interfere…To give effect to these laws, private individuals ought to lend their ai…Those who witness acts of cruelty should interfere…Those who can speak to the public, either from the pulpit or through the press, should lift up their voices in behalf of the dumb.

It is far more important in the very young to attend to the formation of character than the impartation of knowledge, and instead of cramming the children with lessons only meant for the memory and the head, a due share of time should be given to subjects which interest the feelings and improve the heart. It is not merely for the sake of the lower animals that we say this, but for the highest advantages of the pupils. As the effects of cruelty are twofold—hurtful to the poor victims and hurtful to those who inflict the injury, so the effects of benevolence are twofold‚ preventing suffering, and improving the hearts of those who show kindness.

Vivisection, and Experiments on Living Animals

Citing physicians condemning "the great cruelty involved…[and] it's demoralizing effects" as well as the admission of vivisectors that results produced have not benefited mankind, Dr. James Macaulay argues most eloquently and effectively against vivisection. In seeking "the total abolition of these cruel practices" Macaulay professes— "It is evident that public opinion must be brought to bear for the suppression of atrocities which thus pass without protest." Continuing he assures us that "'Physiological Laboratories'… deserve to be viewed with the same horror as the Chambers of the Inquisition. Medical students trained under such influences must deteriorate in moral and social tone, and the character and status of the whole profession will be affected by the misdeeds of the vivisectors."

1896-Jan/Feb | Dr. James A. Macaulay, "Why I Oppose Vivisection, No. II Part 1," and Part II Animals' Friend (London:1894-?) 2 (1896 Jan-Feb); Online at Animal Rights History, 2003.

Why I Oppose Vivisection

There have always been men of eminence in the profession who have pronounced the asserted claims of vivisection to be baseless. There are many physicians and surgeons now who maintain an honourable protest against experiments, which are cruel and unjustifiable, which are degrading to the profession, baneful to the students who practise or witness them, and opposed to true science, as well as to justice and humanity. In the second part of this essay, Macaulay allows "personal testimonies" from physicians and the "confessions of vivisectors themselves" regarding the uselessness of vivisection to argue his case against these cruelties.