Richard Martin, 1925

1925. In 1822 Richard Martin successfully introduced the first Act of Parliament for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Facing the ridicule of his opponents, ignoring the well-meant advice of his friends (who begged him to postpone his efforts), Martin persuaded a hard-hearted House of Commons to accept his measure; when it became law, he devoted himself to the work of bringing offenders to justice. This Act, which soon became known as Martin's Act, protected cattle and horses. Martin tried again and again to secure legal protection for other animals, but not one of these efforts succeeded; his claim to immortal honor rests entirely on his Act and his self-sacrificing work for the benefit of suffering animals.Pain, Wellesley is the author of 'Richard Martin, 1925', published 2003 under ISBN 9780766179172 and ISBN 0766179176.