Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/88748

The beginnings of modern animal protection laws can be found in the birth of regulations concerning prevention of cruelty to animals in 19th century England. In 18th and 19th centuries, in addition to the traditional prevalence of animal games (known as blood sport) as a pastime for the lower social classes, the problem of livestock abuse in urban areas became more serious due to urbanization as a result of the Industrial Revolution. In response to this situation of cruelty to animals, several regulatory proposals on prevention of cruelty to animals were submitted to the parliament at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century, out of concern for the state of social control. The drafters of these proposals attempted to control social order by regulating cruelty to animals, based on the idea that the improvement of morals would contribute to the stability of society. This paper analyzes the social conditions behind the establishment of regulations concerning prevention of cruelty to animals in 19th-century England and the interests of the regulation drafters.