History of animal law – ancient to 1800

Thomas G. Kelch

Chapter 45 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, 2025, pp 171-174 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Animal law has gone through an evolution. The period between the earliest animal laws and the Renaissance and the Enlightenment saw changes in both the substance and the motivations behind laws relating to animals. Animal law of the ancient period, when not founded on religious beliefs, focused on protecting the economic value of animals and provided compensation for damage caused by animals. Religious and economic motives continued in animal law in medieval times, but this period saw the odd practice of animal trials for animals committing ‘crimes’ and causing ‘nuisances’. During the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, we see the advent of numerous laws created for the purpose of protecting animals themselves—a major shift in focus for animal law.

Keywords: Economic; Religious; Social engineering; Goring ox; Property; Animal trials; Cruel sports; Ancient history (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923666
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