Richard Martin (January 15, 1754 to January 6, 1834), was so persistent in arguing for animal rights that the first bill to protect animals passed by the British parliament (1822) was called the Martin Act. This was after a career which saw him mocked for urging protection for farm animals. "What's next? Protection for dogs and cats?" was the gist. In fact this first bill only protected cattle, horses, sheep, and mules, and only from "excessive cruelty."
In 1794 his father died and he inherited (much encumbered) land in Galway, western Ireland, enough land to earn him the label king of Connemara. His kindness was famous, and also his dueling, and humor. According to a contemporary, "His sterling qualities were so embossed with wild humor and fun that it was no easy matter to form a correct judgment on his real character."
In her book, For the Love of Animals: The Rise of the Animal Protection Movement (2008)
author Kathryn Shevelow, mentions this detail about Richard Martin: when asked why he was so protective of animals he is supposed to have said, "Sir, an ox cannot hold a pistol."
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