The RSPCA has recently been deeply troubled by a scandal which involves significant allegations of animal cruelty and welfare violations at farms under the RSPCA Assured scheme. However, to RSPCA founder M.P. Colonel Richard Martin (1754-1834) must go the honour of being the first person on earth to ever force through any Parliament a law (Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822, nicknamed ‘Martin’s Act’) instituting as a legal principle that animals possess certain rights. He also ingeniously made this law work in reality by calling a donkey to court as a victim-witness in an animal abuse case. An Irish Protestant of great urbanity and wit, of passion and perseverance, he was known as "Humanity Dick", a nickname bestowed on him by King George IV. We believe his unfailing zest for animal rights activism is connected with Psalm 145:9 (NIV) -- “The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on All He has made.”
The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was established by a group of 22 reformers, notably including M.P. Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, a philanthropist and moral advocate famous for his role in abolishing the slave trade, inventor and author Lewis Gompertz, and clergyman Reverend Arthur Broome.
When the SPCA was first set up, its main focus was on looking into animal welfare at markets, knackers' yards (where horses unfit for work were murdered and their flesh and bones used), and the well-being of pit ponies in coal mines. Animals used in entertainment also needed protection, and Gompertz and the SPCA worked hard to make dog fighting pits, where dogs fought to the death while people bet on them, illegal. They also targeted other blood sports like bear-baiting and bull-baiting. To support these efforts, Richard 'Humanity Dick' Martin successfully passed the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act in 1822. Gompertz held meetings with magistrates to emphasize the importance of this act and the widespread cruelty to animals that needed to be addressed.
Despite these efforts, magistrates largely ignored Martin's Act, and Gompertz's appeals were unsuccessful. Frustrated, Richard Martin took action himself by prosecuting Bill Burns, a costermonger, for abusing his donkey. Knowing the magistrates would likely acquit Burns, Martin called the donkey to court to be a victim-witness. The magistrates were shocked by the donkey's bruises, injuries and wounds, and Martin's bold move paid off. Burns was fined, and the case received significant media attention. Artist P. Matthews even painted the incident.
Thanks to the efforts of the SPCA, bull-baiting and bear-baiting were abolished in 1835.
After Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837, she quickly became a patron of the SPCA. In 1840, she granted the charity permission to add "Royal" to their name, rendering it the RSPCA, as we know it today.
In 1876, Parliament passed the Cruelty to Animals Act.
The RSPCA then focused on other areas of animal abuse, including the fashion industry, which victimized birds, foxes, and even cats. In 1898, one million egrets were murdered in Venezuela for fashion. Thanks to the RSPCA's efforts, the Plumage Act was passed in 1919, banning the use of certain birds' feathers in fashion.
We wish the current RSPCA would bear in mind the original intention, relentless enthusiasm, insurmountable courage and ingenious strategies of their founders, including Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, Lewis Gompertz and Reverend Arthur Broome, etc.; and really try every possible means to protect and even to liberate enslaved farmed animals, instead of misleading the public to believe that their well-being is guaranteed.
This article's link: https://www.hkbnews.net/post/rspca-founder-richard-martin-calls-his-donkey-turned-victim-witness-to-court-go-vegan-by-dr-chapm
References
The Amateur Casual (2011). “Abuse of Our Powers Over Animals.” The Victorianist Blogspot, Jun 10. https://thevictorianist.blogspot.com/2011/06/abuse-of-our-powers-over-animals-or.html
Unknown (1972). “The History of the RSPCA.” Animal Legal and Historical Center, College of Law, Michigan State University. https://www.animallaw.info/article/history-rspca
Comments