Cage-bound chimp doesn't have same rights as humans, court rules

cbsnews ^ | Dec. 4, 2014 | CBS/AP

[PROCON]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A New York appeals court says a chimpanzee isn't entitled to the rights of a human and doesn't have to be freed by its owner.

The three-judge Appellate Division panel was unanimous Thursday in denying "legal personhood" to Tommy, who lives alone in a cage in upstate Fulton County.

A trial level court had previously denied the Nonhuman Rights Project's effort to have Tommy released. The group's lawyer, Steven Wise, told the appeals court in October that the chimp's living conditions are akin to a person in unlawful solitary confinement.

[familyop]

Animals don’t have constitutional rights. Human beings do.

And people who are robbing other people under the pretense of animal worship are violating human and constitutional rights.

And no, the Article V convention characters in state, local and national politics aren’t going to give animals rights over their local neighbors. They’ll be left with continuing to rob their neighbors the old fashioned way.

[TigersEye]

Monkey Man

[PapaBear3625]

Yes.. they attack suddenly, often for no reason. They’re most dangerous when allowed to run in packs.

Sounds familiar...

[muir_redwoods]

Tell me what responsibilities they have and I’ll tell you their rights.

[trebb]

Can’t wait to see all the “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE” signs in all the zoos and other facilities where animals/chimps are kept. Maybe Sharpton will weigh in.....

[ScottinVA]

Yes... very familiar.