THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605150010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
In response ``Animals have rights too'' (letter, April 19): I know what my basic rights are as a human. But can you imagine the chaos that would result from trying to apply those rights to the animal world?
Will we have to police the great outdoors to prevent predators from victimizing weaker prey?
Will we have to set all animals free?
Will pets have to be paid a minimum wage and receive OSHA protection?
Will we need a search warrant to check out Rover's dog house or have a court order to get Fluffy spayed? The possibilities are endless and ridiculous.
There's a big difference between seeking the humane treatment of animals and agitating for animal ``rights.'' We can all work for the former, but the latter will eventually cause our already overburdened political and legal systems to degenerate into an outright theater of the absurd.
BRIAN BLOEDEL
Melfa, May 2, 1996 by CNB