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Paul the Octopus and The Human Cost Of Animal Rights Violence

It is in the nature of animals to assert themselves in the animal world but this in itself has nothing to do with having rights. At a certain point in time man conceived the notion of ‘rights’ and it is man alone that employs such a concept. Why then do we speak of animal rights? The answer is quite simple: animal rights are meant to set limits to human behavior. If we fail to set clear legal limits to human behaviour in relation to animals, it will be impossible to initiate legal proceedings against those who exceed these limits. Animals are vulnerable, defenceless and completely in man’s power. Persons who disregard the well being of animals should be brought to court and be held accountable for violating animal rights.

In the news People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an Animal rights group is demanding the release of Paul, the psychic octopus, who has become a global star for his FIFA World Cup predictions. Bruce Friedrich, PETA spokesperson said that they were urging people to sign an online petition demanding Paul’s release. “No animal deserves to be confined to a tiny tank and we’re hoping that Paul’s popularity, or in Germany notoriety, will cause people to think a little bit more about the inner lives of octopuses.” The move comes after death threats from German fans, after all Paul is the object of their anger and contempt. Paul, from Aquarium Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, had predicted the outcome of all six of Germany’s matches by choosing to eat food from boxes adorned with the flags of Germany and its rivals. Meanwhile, the eight-legged oracle has predicted that Spain will win the World Cup final, and Germany will emerge victorious in the battle for third place over Uruguay.

The issues surrounding the philosophies of animal rights and animal welfare are very familiar to those who utilize animals in industry, entertainment, sport or recreation. As society has migrated from our agricultural roots to a more urban existence, the importance of distinguishing between animal rights and animal welfare becomes paramount. Some people believe animal rights supersede human rights.  Some believe that there is no moral difference between the life of a whooping crane and the life of a human.  Only a few decades ago, people with such irrational beliefs would have been institutionalized for their own protection.  Many other people at this end of the social spectrum refuse to eat meat.  They won’t eat “anything that used to have a face.”  No matter how you slice it, [that's a pun] these people are just plain abnormal. The deep set moral question is best reduced to a simply analogy. If you had a nuclear bomb and you decided to use it and actually use it on an anthill does that have any moral bearing on you? Does that kill your in some way? If it does then how?

July 21, 2010 - Posted by windowmelodies | News | Aquarium Sea Life Centre, FIFA World Cup, Germany, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA