Humanity Against Cruelty to Animals in Historical Literature, Timeline of Animal Rights History

Animal Rights History »» Thomas Wentworth

Richard Ryder gives due credit to "distinguished historian, Sir George Clark" for the information Clark provided on "this much forgotten piece of legislation…probably the earliest legal reference to use this concept [of 'cruelty to beasts'] in the English Language." (Richard Ryder, Animal Revolution [1989])

1635 | Act against Plowing by the Tayle, and Pulling the Wooll off Living Sheep

WHEREAS in many places of this kindgome, there hath been a long time used a barbarous custome of ploughing, harrowing, drawing and working with horses…by the taile…[and] the like barbarous custome of pulling of the wooll yearly from living sheep…no person or persons whatsoever, shall worke with any horse…by the tail…[or] pull the wool of any living sheep.…Offences done contrary to this present act…punish[able]…by fine and imprisonment. (Ireland Parliament [Thomas Wenworth], An Act against Plowing by the Tayle, and Pulling the Wooll of Living Sheep [1635])

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1635 | Ireland Parliament [Thomas Wentworth], "Act against Plowing by the Tayle, and Pulling the Wooll off Living Sheep, 1635," in The Statutes at Large, Passed in the Parliaments held in Ireland. 2nd ed. (Dublin, 1786;), 2: 168-169.

Richard D. Ryder, Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes Towards Speciesism [Limited Preview], ([First Published] Oxford & Cambridge: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1989; [Revised & Updated Edition] Oxford, 2000).

Quotes briefly introduce animal rights activists, animal welfare advocates and authors; the history of animal rights, animal welfare and animal protection; and the literature of the humane movement against cruelty to animals.

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