RESPECT & DIGNITY
One of the basic needs of every living being is respect for existence and physical autonomy. However, this basic need is not heard and perceived.
The disrespect that human animals bring to non-human animals manifests itself in several ways. The most obvious is the consumption of their exploited and murdered bodies and bodily secretions.
Another, less obvious, but equally pejorative and oppressive type of animal exploitation is the shaping and modeling of the bodies of others against their will. In this category fall, for example, as recently criticized the tattooing of other sentient beings but also the coloring of their hair, feathers, scales, etc. for the amusement, entertainment, and (financial) advantage of humans. It is degradation by the decisions that are not made in any way in the sense and for the benefit of the individuals. Many animal welfare laws (if any) do not cover this form of abuse.
In 2017 the Austrian Animal Protection Act was amended. Amongst the many obvious and long-due amendments wanted by animal protection groups (tethering, online animal sales, piglet castration, etc. - not all passed) @martina.pluda proposed the following:
«In § 7, the following paragraph 6 shall be added after paragraph 5:
“(6) Tattooing or dyeing of skin, plumage or fur performed for aesthetic or commercial reasons is prohibited unless it is a measure for professional animal identification.”» (*)
What from the legislator’s side seemed like an innocent addition, was actually @martina.pluda’s attempt to indirectly introduce the concept of animal dignity in the Austrian Animal Protection Act, presently unique to Swiss animal welfare legislation.
Aside from possibly causing unnecessary pain and suffering (tattooing certainly does), the hope was that this paragraph would raise questions around: Is it dignified? Is it respectful to an animal’s inherent worth or is it yet another objectification of non-human animals?
(*) Please note, that animals also suffer immense physical and mental pain being raised to get killed and by the so-called “professional animal identification”. Just because it is legal, doesn’t make it right.
➸ See the Austrian Animal Protection Act here (the current version)
![[Germ. below] ADOPT DON’T SHOP ✽ Bookmark | Spreading the message page by page.
It is so important that people understand that breeding causes immense animal suffering. There are so many rejected, abandoned, and neglected animals living in sh](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e52dc9312c0b7337202747b/1726829681675-3DM8GUJ5DTAQWXTLI9GL/image-asset.jpeg)
![[Engl. below] HUNDEGEFÄHRT:INNEN | DINGE AN DIE ICH NICHT GEDACHT HABE BIS ZU ADOPTION. ✽ Eine:n Hundegefährt:in zu adoptieren bedeutet eine große Verantwortung und sehr viele Entscheidungen treffen zu müssen. Das Wohlbefinden un](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e52dc9312c0b7337202747b/1726829682615-IJXPD5UUGDX0DN2H41Q9/image-asset.jpeg)
![[Engl. below] „WARTE EINFACH UND SCHAU, WAS PASSIERT“ ✿ Das ist mein Ansatz, besonders im Umgang mit anderen und mir fremden Tieren.
Interesse und Anziehung geschehen ganz natürlich, wie ich es bei meiner Begegnung mit den Kaninchen](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e52dc9312c0b7337202747b/1726829683411-OV05IH9TOHF3DL58WJ2E/image-asset.jpeg)
