I guess the “definition” all depends on which dictionary you’re reading. Modern language(which redefines the meaning of words; as in this case) or from the original Greek and Latin.
According to Websters 1828 dictionary, which I’ll trust over any modern day dictionary, human is defined as such:
[l. humanus; Fr. humain; Sp. humano; It. umano...]
1. Belonging to man or mankind; pertaining or relating to the race of man; as a human voice; human shape; human nature; human knowledge; human life.
2. Having the qualities of a man.
No we’re not animals. When’s the last time you witnessed an animal design a car, or seek to develop a more efficient tool to build a house? The last time I saw an “art piece” created by an animal was as a result of some moron actually placing a paint brush in some elephants trunk and shoving a canvass in its face.
No doctors, musicians, soccer players, biologists, speech therapists, theologians in the wild kingdom. Animals generally behave by instinct. They mate, play, and eat. You understand what I’m saying, I hope. We are not animals. Our species is not the same.
Given that we're speaking of biology and evolutionary taxonomy, it probably isn't best to use a dictionary that's almost 2 centuries old.
No we’re not animals.
Of course we are. What else could we be? Plants? Fungi? If we don't belong to kingdom Animalia, to which kingdom would you assign us?
Let's try a quick exercise. All humans are mammals. Agreed?
Mammals are by definition animals. Agreed?
Therefore all humans are animals. Agreed?
When’s the last time you witnessed an animal design a car, or seek to develop a more efficient tool to build a house?
Since humans are animals, the answer is "quite recently". As for the toolmaking capabilities of non-human animals, it should be born in mind that h. sapiens is the most intelligent animal on the planet to date. As such, it should not be surprising that we have more capability to put abstract thought into action than any other animal.
We are not animals. Our species is not the same.
A species is a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Non-human animals are by definition not our species.