California City Recognizes "Elephant Rights"
The resort town of Ojai, California recognized the legal rights of elephants this week. At first glance, this may seem a curious choice, as elephants aren’t native to Ojai, and there hasn’t even been an elephant in the city since 2021 – so why recognize and protect the rights of animals that don’t even exist within the jurisdiction of the law? The answer, of course, is precedent.
Ojai may be the first city to pass a law like this, but there will be plenty more in the coming years, because there's an agenda - an intermediate and an end goal - in this model of legislation. Most, if not all, of these laws will be in cities where no resident’s livelihood will be harmed, and no costs will be incurred via enforcement. Then, somewhere down the road, the same law will be presented in a city with, say, a zoo, and the argument will be bolstered by the fact that “17 other enlightened cities have already recognized the rights of elephants. Why is this city lagging behind the times?” and the animal rights groups will raise their funds, the lawyers will receive their checks, and the city’s elephants will be relocated to a “sanctuary” where they are likely to receive far less attention and a lower standard of care than they ever did while in the zoo.
To many Americans, elephants represent an ideal mixture of brains, majesty, and goofy charisma. We love them! Recognizing and protecting their rights just sounds like a nice thing to do. So, if the law doesn’t cause any harm or cost any money today, why not? Well, that’s the trap, isn't it?
California city becomes first in nation to recognize elephant rights
Resources
★ Happy the elephant is not a person, a court rules
★ (2011) Animals and "Personhood"
