Animal Law

What does justice look like when extended beyond the human species? Animal Law offers a groundbreaking exploration of one of the fastest-growing and most urgent fields of legal thought. Tracing the story of animals from their historic treatment as property to today’s debates about sentience and legal personhood, this book examines how societies worldwide are rethinking their moral and legal responsibilities toward nonhuman beings. Through history, philosophy, and case law, it reveals the profound contradictions at the heart of our relationship with animals—cherishing some as companions while exploiting others in farming, research, entertainment, and trade. Inside these pages, readers will discover the evolution of animal law across fifteen chapters, including in-depth discussions of anti-cruelty statutes, wildlife protection, service animals, international treaties, cultural perspectives, and the ethical foundations of rights versus welfare. It also explores emerging issues such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, zoonotic diseases, and the impact of climate change on animal protection. Accessible yet rigorous, Animal Law is not only a reference for students, lawyers, and policymakers but also a call to action for advocates, scholars, and anyone interested in creating a more compassionate and sustainable legal future. Whether you are a legal professional, a scholar of philosophy and ethics, or simply a reader passionate about justice, this book will challenge you to question entrenched assumptions and expand your vision of what law can achieve. Key Features: Comprehensive history of animal law and its philosophical foundations Comparative perspectives from international and cultural contexts Analysis of cutting-edge issues like AI, biotechnology, and climate change Practical insights into current legal frameworks and future reforms Animal Law is more than a book—it is an invitation to imagine a legal system that recognizes the intrinsic worth of all sentient beings.