end

It seems that we recognize that animals can be treated well (it is especially the case with our pets) and treated badly. And there is no inconsistency here. Of course we should care about animals and recognize such things as animal welfare and cruelty to animals. However, as long as we are not cruel on purpose and do not commit wrongful acts that involve animals, such as thoughtless killing, starving or torturing them, we do nothing wrong. At the same time it seems obvious that animals can be used for man's benefit. It sounds as if animals had no rights at all but it is not true. They have many rights and, what is more, we have responsibilities to them. Still, they are inferior to us and cannot be viewed as our equal partners.