Few Americans favour giving animals the same rights as humans, but a majority support "strict laws" concerning the treatment of farm and food animals and 38pc support a ban on sports that involve competition among or between animals, including dog and horse racing, according to a new Gallup Poll.
The US poll, Gallup's annual survey on people's beliefs and values, found that 25pc of American adults ages 18 years and over believe animals deserve the same legal rights to be free from exploitation and harm as humans.
Gallup said 72pc believe that while animals deserve protection from exploitation and harm, "it is still appropriate to use them" to benefit humans.
In questions about animal treatment, 64pc of adults favour strict laws concerning the treatment of farm animals, but it is important to note that the percentage of people who said they strongly support these laws has increased from 29pc five years ago to 35pc, Gallup said.
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