Animal welfare & the law
Should the Use of Animals for Entertainment, Such as Circuses and Zoos, Be Prohibited?
LNAT Section B · Founder's essay plan
The essay question
Should the use of animals for entertainment purposes, such as circuses and zoos, be prohibited?
The plan
Stance
Yes — prohibition is both morally and legally necessary. Modern law's trajectory towards recognising animal sentience and dignity renders the use of animals for amusement indefensible.
Jurisdictions & legal anchors:
- UK: Animal Welfare Act 2006 (ss. 4, 8, 9); Wild Animals in Circuses (No. 2) Act 2019; Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925.
- EU: Lisbon Treaty Art 13 (animal sentience).
- Comparative: A. Nagaraja v India (2014) SC — animal dignity; Nonhuman Rights Project v Lavery (2022 NY); German Basic Law Art 20a.
- Philosophical: Bentham, Singer, Regan, Dworkin (consistency and moral progress).
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