Animal law's ups and mostly downs

Having seen Dara Lovitz speak earlier this year at Grindcore House, and having read some of Muzzling a Movement, it was really special to have her come to our very own intimate classroom setting and speak directly to us about her opinions regarding animal law. When I saw her at Grindcore, I came a bit late and it was sort of hard to put where the discussion was in context or emerge myself into the conversation. I wish our class had more time at the end of her presentation to discuss what the food and pet industries do to animals and how animal activists are restricted and oppressed by the government. BUT, within our limited class time, I still felt she covered a lot of good bases.

For example, I was happy she mentioned "Prop 2" as it is quite an advancement for animal rights, yet very contradictory because despite how much "more humane" the slaughter system is made- until animals are no longer produced in factories for human purposes. Furthermore, "Prop 2" still denies animals the right to socialize or live out their lives naturally. Violence and suffering surrounds most domesticated animals at at least one point during their often short lives. So therefore, Animal Law is not successful in "protecting animals" which is it's inherent purpose.

I am also glad that Dara discussed how guardianship and vetrinary malpractice is different because animals are still considered objects, not individuals nor family members. I feel like issues in which monetary value is relayed to the owners of pets, (such as in cases of tainted pet food recalls, malpractice, etc), animals are only further objectivied, which sends me into a nihilistic bad mood- similar to how "GOOD" organizations such as the SPCA makes me feel.

For now, we will have to be patient as Animal law slowly advances and we hopefully head towards a less violent and more open-minded society.