Petition · past parliament
Recognise Animals As Nonhuman Persons and Grant Them Legal Rights
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Despite ample scientific proof that animals are sentient, and despite Britain being a so-called nation of animal lovers, under British law, animals are still classed as property, not persons. Billions of animals are abused and killed unnecessarily every year. It’s time to grant them legal rights!
Animals are mutilated, abused and brutally killed just for burgers and bacon. Animal families are separated. Mothers lose their young (and the young lose their mothers) just for milk. Male chicks are gassed and shredded up in the egg industry. Animals are abused and killed for their fur, for testing and “research”, for “sport”, for “pest” control, for their wool and for their feathers. It’s time to ban all of this and grant all sentient animals legal personhood and rights!
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We understand you're concerned about animal rights, however we're not sure what legal rights you want animals to be given.
You might be interested to read about proposed laws relating to animal sentience, which are currently being considered by Parliament: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2867.
You might be interested to read about proposed laws relating to animal sentience, which are currently being considered by Parliament: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2867.
Timeline
| 28 Nov 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 Dec 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
3 Dec 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.