Publication
Title
Ethical responsibilities towards dogs : an inquiry into the goghuman relationship
Author
Abstract
The conditions of life of many companion animals and the rate at which they are surrendered to shelters raise many ethical issues. What duties do we have towards the dogs that live in our society? To suggest answers to these questions, I first give four possible ways of looking at the relationship between man and dog: masterslave, employerworker, parentchild, and friendfriend. I argue that the morally acceptable relationships are of a different kind but bears family resemblances to the latter three. As dogs are beings with an interest in their wellbeing, society has certain duties towards the dogs, which can be translated in legislation. But human beings also have special responsibilities towards the dogs they take into their care. Such responsibilities entail caring for their emotional and physical welfare, but also ensuring a bond of trust, which should not easily be broken.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of agricultural and environmental ethics. - Guelph
Publication
Guelph : 2009
ISSN
1187-7863
DOI
10.1007/S10806-008-9120-Y
Volume/pages
22 :1 (2009) , p. 3-14
ISI
000262986800001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 12.10.2015
Last edited 20.02.2023
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