For the love of animals
Subtitle: the rise of the animal protection movement
By: Kathryn Shevelow.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 352
ISBN-13: 9780805080902
Subjects: Animal welfare -- Great Britain -- History -- 18th century
Description: In eighteenth-century England--where cockfighting and bullbaiting drew large crowds, and the abuse of animals was routine--the idea of animal protection was dismissed as laughably radical. But as pets became more common, human attitudes toward animals evolved. An unconventional duchess defended their intellect in her writings; a gentleman scientist believed that animals should be treated with compassion; and with the concentrated efforts of an eccentric Scots barrister and a flamboyant Irishman, the lives of beasts--and, correspondingly, men and women--began to change. Kathryn Shevelow, a scholar of the eighteenth century, gives us the dramatic story of the bold reformers who braved attacks because they sympathized with the plight of creatures everywhere. More than just a history, this cultural narrative is an exploration into how our feelings toward animals reveal our ideas about ourselves, God, mercy, and nature.--From publisher description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction : Saved; title: Of duchesses and ducks; title: Rude and nasty pleasures; title: Pets and the city; title: Dancing dogs and horses of knowledge; title: Animal crimes; title: Parliaments of monsters; title: Stages of cruelty; title: The meanest worm is our sister; title: Throw down the butcher's knife; title: Hair-trigger martin and the wolfhound; title: Taking the bull by the horns; title: The unfortunate tourist's dog; title: Humanity dick; title: For the love of animals; title: Conclusion : The legacy of animal protection.