So far the fight to abolish cruel sports has spanned two centuries, and there
have been a number of successes along the way ...
1802: Yes, the fight to end cruel sports actually started this early! The Society
for the Suppression of Vice was formed. One of this evangelical Christian committee's
aims was the abolition of animal baiting.
1822: Richard Martin's Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle was
passed, making this the first Parliamentary legislation for animal welfare in
the world.
1824: Two years later Martin helped establish the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals.
1835: The Protection of Animals Act made bull, bear and badger baiting, as well as
cock and dog fighting illegal. However, the legislation only covered cruelty to
domestic and captive animals, not wild ones. In the same year, Princess Victoria
became a patron of the SPCA. She added the 'Royal' handle in 1840 having been
crowned
in 1837. As a result, the RSPCA increasingly became identified with the upper
classes.
Indeed many successful industrialists, having taken up the relatively new sport
of fox hunting, also joined the RSPCA due to its royal connections.
1876: The Cruelty to Animals Act was passed - but there was still no progress for
wild
animals.
1891: Henry Salt formed the Humanitarian League - one of whose aims was the outlawing
of hunting for sport.
1911: The Protection of Animals Act was passed, establishing the concept of "causing
unnecessary suffering". However, this once again excluded protection for wild
animals.
1921: Some progress was made when it became illegal to hunt animals that do not have
a "reasonable means of escape" - again covering animals regarded as captive only.
Next: The birth of the League