S1E2: Legal Subjects with Leslie Bisgould

Mar 19, 2020

Lesli Bisgould, an adjunct professor and barrister specializing in animal rights law, joins Claudia to discuss the evolving legal status of animals in Canada. They explore the differentiation between legal subjects and objects, highlighting the growing recognition of animals as entities deserving rights. The conversation delves into the emotional and ethical dilemmas of animal rights advocacy, the complexities of animal experimentation, and the challenges of owning exotic pets. Bisgould shares insights on the need for societal change to influence legal reform.

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INSIGHT

What 'Legal Subject' Means

A legal subject is someone whose interests the law respects and will protect, not merely something acted upon.
Lesli contrasts objects (like mugs) with subjects (like entities whose interests receive legal protection).

INSIGHT

Welfare Laws Permit Harm By Design

Animal-welfare laws mostly prohibit "unnecessary" suffering, which implicitly permits many harms.
Lesli notes these laws are reactive and do not empower animals to defend their own interests in court.

INSIGHT

Management Assumes Human Superiority

Human management of animal populations rests on assumed superiority and subjective values.
Lesli argues we lack evidence and competence to claim authority to manage other species' lives.

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Claudia talks with Lesli Bisgould about ‘Animal Subjects’. They consider what it means to be a subject of the law and the extent to which animals, particularly animals in Canada, could be considered as such.

Guest: Lesli Bisgould is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and is also currently the Barrister at Legal Aid Ontario’s Clinic Resource Office where she assists caseworkers at Ontario’s community legal clinics with their complex appeals. She worked for several years at a Toronto litigation firm, then left to start her own practice in animal rights law. For ten years, she acted for individuals and organizations in a variety of animal-related cases in the first practice of its kind in Canada. She now works in the poverty and human rights fields as well. She has argued at every level of court and has deputed before government bodies and committees at every level of government. Bisgould is the author of Introduction to Animals and the Law (2011), the first Canadian law text on the subject, and a contributor to Canadian Perspectives on Animals and the Law (2015), both published by Irwin Law. Read more about Lesli here.

Host: Claudia Hirtenfelder is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University and is currently undertaking her own research project that looks at the historical relationships between animals and cities. Connect with her on Twitter (@ClaudiaFTowne)

Featured readings:; Animals and the Law by Lesli Bisgould;

Bed Music created by Gordon Clarke (Instagram: @_con_sol_ )

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Sponsored by Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Ethics – A.P.P.L.E (Website)

Part of iROAR, an Animals Podcasting Network and the CFRC Podcast Network

A.P.P.L.E
Animals in Politics, Law, and Ethics researches how we live in interspecies societies and polities.

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iROAR brings together podcasts that aim is to make the world a better place for animals.

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