Colorado Voters for Animals would like to commend Vail Mountain School 7th grader Reece Joseph for his excellent opinion piece on animal cruelty and what people can do to make the world a better place for nonhuman animals. Not that long ago, animals were viewed as “things” or property, there for our entertainment or exploitation.
While we have come a long way from René Descartes’ belief that animals were incapable of pain, so it was acceptable to dissect them while alive and without sedation, we still have a long way to go. Science has demonstrated many nonhuman animals share similar traits as humans; forming social groups, the ability to recognize themselves, having lifelong bonds with a mate, the ability to experience pleasure, pain, hunger and thirst.