There was once a man who was convicted of starving 20 horses and goats on his property. In the case of State vs. Arnold Nix, the judge allotted a separate count of second-degree animal neglect for each animal, noting each animal was a separate victim on his/her own.
As a result of said case, the Oregon Supreme Court recently passed a landmark ruling that will change the way animals are treated under the Oregon law, in the name of animal rights. The ruling recognizes animals as legal “victims” in animal cruelty cases, thus affording animals more basic rights to protect them from abuse.
“To acknowledge that animals are victims of crime, that’s really common sense to us,” said Lora Dunn, staff attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund in Portland. This ruling could also lead to longer prison sentences for those convicted of animal abuse, and make it more difficult for defendants to expunge these convictions off their criminal records down the road.
Justice Martha Lee Walters noted that household pets “occupy a unique position in people’s hearts” and that’s reflected in the development of animal-welfare laws. She says, “As we continue to learn more about the interrelated nature of all life, the day may come when humans perceive less separation between themselves and other living beings than the law now reflects. However, we do not need a mirror to the past or a telescope to the future to recognize that the legal status of animals has changed and is changing still…”
Way to go, Oregon! Many people believe this ruling should be made federal law. Do you think this ruling should be made in more states across the country?
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