Because the law reflects our common judeo-christian heritage that eschews violence for violence sake against either animal or human.
Even in the good ol' days, blood sports existed for the sake of sport and profit. Cats were tortured and killed as witches, wrong, but at least there was a purpose.
Mindless violence toward animal, human or property has never been tolerated in the general culture that America rose from. Our laws reflect that heritage (still).
Regarding the protection of animals before the 20th century, what laws?
Even in the good ol' days, blood sports existed for the sake of sport and profit. Cats were tortured and killed as witches, wrong, but at least there was a purpose.Cats as witches? I relate. Had a friend tell me once (I was waxing on how I should have been born at least two centuries ago), that it's a good thing I wasn't or I'd have been burnt at the stake. =)
Mindless violence toward animal, human or property has never been tolerated in the general culture that America rose from. Our laws reflect that heritage (still).
I've been holding this excerpt on making sense of suffering I wanted to post for you. I think I'll just take this somewhat obliquely related snip as sign I should go ahead and do it.
(And perhaps a little something on the New Left's chaotic and mindless destruction which cannot always be controlled by the left, gives them the willies as it reminds them of the early anarchists like Bakhunin and will be -- as Keuhnnelt-Leddihn says -- the "Leftism to end all leftism" ... possibly ushering in as a result a far worse reactionary correction. I really am interested in getting to the bottom of this "anarcho-capitalist" thing ... still missing the sense even if the dollars do add up. =)
Best regards, Chookter.