The Legal Guardianship of Animals

"Legal guardianship of animals" is the reissue of the first doctoral thesis in Brazil regarding animal rights, published in 2000, now updated. This thesis was defended at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in February of 2000 by lawyer Edna Cardozo Dias, and had as her supervisor Prof. Arthur Diniz. This book aided the theory of animal rights to gain momentum in Brazil as well as the debate of recognizing animal law within the field of legal sciences. In its second edition, it presents different theories that have emerged in this field, and how they can be the basis and guidelines to elevate Animal Law to a higher standard, one in which effectively protects animals, safeguarding their rights. It also mentions the necessity to modify the legal nature of animals within the Brazilian Civil Code, and makes a comparative study with countries that have already changed their laws in order to recognize that it is necessary to establish a different category for the legal relationships that involve animals and humans, and promote special laws that preserve their dignity and integrity, distinguishing them from other goods. The book regards Animal Law in its philosophical, legal and ethical facets, discourses on the many kinds of cruelty practiced in Brazil and analyzes the Brazilian legislation as well as that of other countries, and broader, worldwide agreements. It ties academic issues with those of the legal field, and brings the reader to ponder about the adoption of new legal paradigms and about the evolution of a theory of animal rights.