This short course will consider three different models for defining the legal status of animals. Under current Canadian law, animals are defined as "property" - a legal status that accords them very few protections. Some legal scholars and animal rights activists have proposed instead that animals be defined legally as "persons", not property, and thereby secure the basic rights of personhood. For example, the Non-Human Rights Project has filed several suits in the United States to secure personhood for primates, so far unsuccessfully. A third model starts from the premise that many animals are members of society, who live and work alongside us, and who should therefore be accorded certain rights of social membership. For example, companion animals might be legally defined as "members of the family", and service animals might be legally defined as "workers". In this short course, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of these three models. Student evaluation will be based upon attendance and a course paper.
This short course will consider three different models for defining the legal status of animals. Under current Canadian law, animals are defined as "property" - a legal status that accords them very few protections. Some legal scholars and animal rights activists have proposed instead that animals be defined legally as "persons", not property, and thereby secure the basic rights of personhood. For example, the Non-Human Rights Project has filed several suits in the United States to secure personhood for primates, so far unsuccessfully. A third model starts from the premise that many animals are members of society, who live and work alongside us, and who should therefore be accorded certain rights of social membership. For example, companion animals might be legally defined as "members of the family", and service animals might be legally defined as "workers". In this short course, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of these three models. Student evaluation will be based upon attendance and a course paper.
