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Associated Press on NhRP Litigation on Behalf of Animals in New York

Last year, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) filed habeas corpus litigation against the Bronx Zoo on behalf of “Happy” the elephant. An appellate court dismissed NhRP’s petitions in December 2020, asserting that “the writ of habeas corpus is limited to human beings.” However, Judge Eugene M. Fahey, associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals, wrote in support of the NhRP’s position. The New York Court of Appeals later agreed to hear an appeal of the case. “Happy” would be the first elephant in the United States to have a habeas corpus hearing, according to the NhRP.

Associated Press on NhRP Litigation on Behalf of Animals in New York

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Last year, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) filed habeas corpus litigation against the Bronx Zoo on behalf of “Happy” the elephant. An appellate court dismissed NhRP’s petitions in December 2020, asserting that “the writ of habeas corpus is limited to human beings.” However, Judge Eugene M. Fahey, associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals, wrote in support of the NhRP’s position. The New York Court of Appeals later agreed to hear an appeal of the case. “Happy” would be the first elephant in the United States to have a habeas corpus hearing, according to the NhRP.  

In a recent Associate Press article, it was mentioned that "The National Association for Biomedical Research said authorizing such petitions on behalf of animals could drive up the costs of conducting critical research. State and national associations representing veterinarians filed a brief saying NRP’s lawsuit promotes animals’ personhood rights above animals’ welfare."

Read full article: https://apnews.com/article/bronx-zoo-elephant-personhood-2622a60362cefcedb52680c0f0c72743