Petition · past parliament
Recognise that animals are sentient beings.
Rejected
16 signatures
What the petition asks
We, the undersigned, know that animals are sentient beings. Animals can feel pain, hope, fear, contentment, heat and cold. We know this because we are animals, because of the relationships we have with other species and because science tells us so.
Animal sentience should be recognised in law.
Animal sentience should be recognised in law.
On November 15 MPs voted to reject a clause that would transfer the recognition of animal sentience into UK law post Brexit. The new clause was rejected with a majority of 18 for the Government; 313 against and 295 in favour.
The only reasons for not recognising animal sentience are having no prior experience of animals or the wish to exploit them with disregard for their welfare.
MPs should have the highest regard for other species and recognise their sentience by putting this into law.
The only reasons for not recognising animal sentience are having no prior experience of animals or the wish to exploit them with disregard for their welfare.
MPs should have the highest regard for other species and recognise their sentience by putting this into law.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 21 Nov 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 23 Nov 2017 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
16
Status
Rejected
Rejected
23 Nov 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.