Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822

A painting of the trial of Bill Burns, the world's first known conviction for animal cruelty under the 1822 Martin's Act, after Burns was found beating his donkey. The prosecution was brought by Richard Martin, also known as "Humanity Dick", and the case became memorable because he brought the donkey into court.

The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 (3 Geo. IV c. 71) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom with the long title "An Act to prevent the cruel and improper Treatment of Cattle"; it is sometimes known as Martin's Act, after the MP and animal rights campaigner Richard Martin.^[1] It is the first pieces of animal welfare legislation in recorded history.^[2] The Act listed "ox, cow, heifer, steer, sheep, or other cattle". This was held not to include bulls. A further act (5 & 6 Will. IV. c. 59 s. 2) extended the wording of this Act to remedy the issue.^[3] This Act was repealed by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1849.

References[]

^ Lucy Inglis (June 2012). "What Folly is This? Animal Welfare in Georgian London". London Historians. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
^ "Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill". Hansard. June 16, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021. My Lords, it is a privilege to open this debate. Today, in this House, we are opening a new chapter in this country’s proud story of protecting and promoting animal welfare. I am proud, as I hope your Lordships are, of the UK’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers. The UK introduced the world’s first animal protection law: the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822.
^ The Rights of Persons, According to the Text of Blackstone: Incorporating the Alterations Down to the Present Time, Sir William Blackstone and James Stewart, 1839, p. 79.

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[1] Lucy Inglis (June 2012). "What Folly is This? Animal Welfare in Georgian London". London Historians. Retrieved July 5, 2021.

[2] "Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill". Hansard. June 16, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021. My Lords, it is a privilege to open this debate. Today, in this House, we are opening a new chapter in this country’s proud story of protecting and promoting animal welfare. I am proud, as I hope your Lordships are, of the UK’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers. The UK introduced the world’s first animal protection law: the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822.

[3] The Rights of Persons, According to the Text of Blackstone: Incorporating the Alterations Down to the Present Time, Sir William Blackstone and James Stewart, 1839, p. 79.

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Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822

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