Janet Hesse,, age 10, of Tempe, Ariz., for her question:
Who started the humane society?
We human beings can be cruel and brutal, rude and cowardly. We also can be kind and courteous, thoughtful and brave. Naturally, we like to stress our best qualities. We call them humane and humane societies expect us to show these best human qualities toward children and animals.
Every corner of our country has its humane society and there are humane societies in every civilized land. The story began in England some 200 years ago. As it unfolded, the good grown ups around the world took sides against the bad grown ups. Humane societies work to prevent and to punish cruelty to helpless children and animals.
It was started by an English lawman named Jeremy Bentham. He said that laws should be passed to punish the cruel and stupid owners who beat and overworked their farm animals. He also said that if young children learned kindness to animals they would become better adults. Many sensible people were stirred by this talk. Many were shocked when Lord Erskine listed some of these cruelties in the House of Lords.
In 1811, the English Parliament passed the Treatment of Cattle Bill. This was mankind's first law to protect animals and cruel masters of farm animals were punished by fines or prison. It was called the Martin Act in honor of Richard Martin who worked for it in Parliament. Many others wanted to help and two years later they founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Queen Victoria added her blessing and it became a Royal Society.
More laws to protect pets and zoo animals were passed in England and other countries passed laws of their own. Other countries also started their SPCA groups. In 1866, the first American SPCA was started in New York. Its founder was Henry Bergh. Many states and cities soon had their spcas. The laws to protect animals led to laws to protect children and in 1874 Henry Bergh founded the SPCC. Everywhere the SPCA and the SPCC groups worked together for the fair t
reatment of both children and animals. In Illinois, these united groups became the world's first Humane Society. In 1877, this led to the founding of the American Humane Society.
In New York, 100 years ago, there were no laws to help nine year old Mary Ellen. But people heard of her cruel treatment and her inhumane foster mother was arrested by the SPCA. The woman was tried under the laws protecting animals and sent to jail. The news opened everyone's eyes. The SPCC was founded and laws to punish and prevent the cruel treatment of children were passed .