France Has Legally Declared That Animals Are Alive!

For over 200 years, in France, animals have been relegated to the status of personal property. It is the same the world over in respect of the legal status of animals including companion animals. In Britain they are chattels, an old-fashioned word which means possessions as if one is possessing a table or a chair.

Cat in Paris France
Photo by Matt Biddulph

France has taken a significant and I think wonderful lead on the rest of the world in officially classified animals as living beings under a fiercely debated bill, which has now been approved by members of Parliament.

For those who are not sure, a “Bill”, it in this context, refers to legislation (law) which is being debated before it might become active law as a statute. As the Bill has been approved by the members of Parliament in France, I hope we can presume that there will be no upsets in the process of it becoming a statute and binding law on all the citizens of France.

As far as I’m concerned this change in the status of animals is long overdue. I would not consider myself an animal activist but, of course, animal activists are delighted. Animal activists say that cats, dogs, horses and other species of animal would no longer be treated as objects in the French courts.

Because animals can be treated as sentient living beings rather than movable goods there will be many beneficial spin-offs in the way that people must treat animals. For example, in divorce cases, the companion animal should receive the same kind of treatment as a child of the family. This might result in shared custody. Or if, for example a cat or dog are close friends within the family, on divorce, a court should make an order that both companion animals remain together. At the moment, companion animals would usually not be subject to negotiation in divorce proceedings. They will be divided up as if they are bits of furniture.

This wonderful Bill (as far as I’m concerned), which describes animals as “living and feeling beings” was passed in Parliament after nearly 700,000 people signed a petition against the 1804 civil law which described animals as “movable goods”.

Apparently, many intellectuals signed the petition. One of them was Luc Ferry. He is a philosopher and the former education minister. Quite rightly, he said that the Napoleonic legislation, which placed the animals on the same level as furniture, was “absurd”. He made the amusing remark that nobody had ever taught at the clock!

Another positive spin-off from this legislation will be that there will probably have to be better handling of animals in research laboratories – and about time too. I would ban the whole thing myself.

Another positive spin-off will be that when a companion animal such as a cat is run over due to negligence of the driver or maliciously and with intent hurt, the cat’s caretaker will be able to claim compensation for their emotional suffering.

There will be numerous other, perhaps unforeseen, positive and beneficial consequences for animals in France and let’s remember there are 63,000,000 pets in France including 18,000,000 domestic cats and dogs. Law can mold change people’s attitudes and behavior over time. I hope many countries follow suit. What about Britain and the USA for example?

Of course, farmers and the like are against it. The change has been denounced by certain members of the French establishment as being a dangerous attack on the French way of life. What they mean is that it may undermine the breeding and hunting of animals including having an impact upon fishing.

Well, I say is about time that these pursuits were attacked by the civilised majority. What do you think?

11 thoughts on “France Has Legally Declared That Animals Are Alive!”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. This is great. Hopefully the first of many.

    Of course hunters and farmers stand to lose a bit of money over it so they pull the ‘tradition’ card.

    But since when has human culture and tradition been more important than animal welfare?

    I think the answer is a long time for most – but never, for me.

    Reply
    • The Japanese still want to kill whales and stockpile the meat since nobody eats it anymore – all in the name of tradition.

      Tradition, if you don’t mind me saying, is a bit of an ugly and bad word in my view. Infact I rather hate it simply because it’s used as a reason for evil behaviour.

      Reply
      • Japanese i feel very dissappointed in. I almost thought they may of stopped this. I mean whaling is just so disgusting it ended here in late 1800s here in nzl. Why would u want to hurt those animals and even worse dolphins which are so friendly and loving. 🙁

        Reply
        • The Japanese are obsessed with their raw fish and all fish products and they will operate any possible scam to be able to fish it. It is similar with tuna. Tuna stocks are running out in the world and the value of tuna to Japanese is extraordinary high. They’re quite destructive the Japanese when it comes to nature.

          Reply
          • its just dissappointing maybe its time to stop buying japanese products to hurt them where it hurts. I guess nothing in life is ever certain and cant always trust what people say or do. Esp when it involes big corporations and someone abuses animals 🙁

            Reply
      • thats wonderful at least one country is doing something about it, as they are leading the way. Ive noticed there so much animal abuse happening everywhere around the world. Its a sad way can only hope things get better.

        Reply
    • Yes, a great beginning and I just hope other countries follow suit with clearly laying down the law that animals are sentient beings with feelings and emotions. It is truly well overdue that the law recognised this simple fact.

      Reply

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