Much of it's power resulted from protecting work horses in the city. But, the first human child abuse case was recognized because if horses could be protected, why can't children.
Mary Ellen’s story marked the beginning of a world-wide crusade (click here) to
save children. Over the years, in the re-telling of Mary Ellen Wilson’s
story, myth has often been confused with fact. Some of the inaccuracies
stem from colorful but erroneous journalism, others from simple
misunderstanding of the facts, and still others from the complex history
of the child protection movement in the United States and Great Britain
and its link to the animal welfare movement. While it is true that
Henry Bergh, president of the American Society of the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), was instrumental in ensuring Mary Ellen’s
removal from an abusive home, it is not true that her attorney -- who
also worked for the ASPCA -- argued that she deserved help because she
was “a member of the animal kingdom.”
The real story -- which can be pieced together from court documents, newspaper articles, and personal accounts -- is quite compelling, and it illustrates the impact that a caring and committed individual can have on the life of a child....
I am sure when the ASPCA was quite powerful they carried weapons. They had to remove abused horses from their business owners. It probably got very ugly.
I do believe these problems are handled by county animal control officers, carrying weapons that respond to complains of inhumane treatment of animals. So, there you have it. Weapons are sometimes necessary in enforcing humane rights to animals and people.
How One Girl's Plight Started the Child-Protection Movement
Mary Ellen’s story marked the beginning of a world-wide crusade (click here) to
save children. Over the years, in the re-telling of Mary Ellen Wilson’s
story, myth has often been confused with fact. Some of the inaccuracies
stem from colorful but erroneous journalism, others from simple
misunderstanding of the facts, and still others from the complex history
of the child protection movement in the United States and Great Britain
and its link to the animal welfare movement. While it is true that
Henry Bergh, president of the American Society of the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), was instrumental in ensuring Mary Ellen’s
removal from an abusive home, it is not true that her attorney -- who
also worked for the ASPCA -- argued that she deserved help because she
was “a member of the animal kingdom.”The real story -- which can be pieced together from court documents, newspaper articles, and personal accounts -- is quite compelling, and it illustrates the impact that a caring and committed individual can have on the life of a child....
I am sure when the ASPCA was quite powerful they carried weapons. They had to remove abused horses from their business owners. It probably got very ugly.
I do believe these problems are handled by county animal control officers, carrying weapons that respond to complains of inhumane treatment of animals. So, there you have it. Weapons are sometimes necessary in enforcing humane rights to animals and people.
