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Posted on 02/08/2012 10:42:12 AM PST by lbryce
A US federal judge may rule on whether animals enjoy the constitutional protections against slavery as human beings.
The case — to test the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits slavery — arises from a move by Sea World to dismiss a lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that names five orcas (killer whales) as plaintiffs, CNN reported.
Three marine-mammal experts and two former orca (killer whale) trainers have joined PETA in claiming that the captured orcas are treated like slaves, forced to live in tanks and perform daily at Sea World parks in San Diego and Orlando, Florida.
The Associated Press quoted PETA attorney Jeffrey Kerr, representing the five orcas, as saying: "This case is on the next frontier of civil rights."
The orcas case - the first-ever seeking to apply the 13th Amendment to nonhuman animals – named Corky, Kasatka, Ulises, Tilikum and Katina.
However, Sea World attorney Theodore Shaw said the lawsuit "went against 125 years of case law applied to the Constitution's 13th amendment that prohibits slavery between humans."
"With all due respect, the court does not have the authority to even consider this question," the AP quoted Shaw as saying.
"Neither orcas nor any other animal were included in the 'We the people' ... when the Constitution was adopted," he added.
US District Judge Jeffrey Miller has announced that he will take the case under advisement and issue his ruling at a later date.
According to the AP:
"The judge raised doubts a court can allow animals to be plaintiffs in a lawsuit, and he questioned how far the implications of a favorable ruling could reach, pointing out the military's use of dolphins and scientists' experiments on whales in the wild."
Life imitates art. Bee Story: Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.
Coming soon....Freedom Swimmers led by Martin Luther Killerwhale, Jr.
Wait until he emancipates all of those pythons, cobras and other dangerous and poisonous snakes being held in captivity!
After that, the feds force another paid holiday. Free Willy Day! Hooray!
Two dogs, one cat, and a wife, who comes under her own category.
They get let out, they get let in, they get petted as desired, they get fed...
Somehow I’m wondering just who gets the slave label.
Not to mention the ones we eat ... which I believe is PETA's ultimate goal. To say that this case is imbecilic at every conceivable level would be a vast understatement
And, all the while, 3,300 human Americans are viciously murdered each and every day in abortuaries . . . and these idiots don't care! Not even on their agenda!
-—US Judge May Rule on Whether US Constitution Protects Animals Against Slavery-—
I wonder if my Ford Econline van is protected against slavery. I’ve really worked the hell out of it and sometimes I’ve even been cruel to it.
Isn't it time for you to get back to work and buy more Alpo? Sheesh, who do you think's in charge in your pet's house? /s
Ford Econolines, those are great. I've had 2 of them in my lifetime. They're real workhorses...oh, can I say that?
PETA stirring up troubles again.
But that would come after James Earl StingRay.
So when do they prosecute hawks for murdering squirrels?
What fools!
Yes, their ultimate goal is to force everyone into a vegan diet.
Does this mean the Amish will be forced into tractors and automobiles?
So here's my next prediction, folks: within the decade, someone will sue to establish that prosecuting murder and theft violates the Separation of Church and State, because it "discriminates" in favor of the Ten Commandments.
Reparations would be in order for mules.
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