Nearly half of Americans believe animals are a lot like humans when it comes to emotions and reasoning ability, according to a Los Angeles Times poll published Saturday.
Also, half said they object to the wearing of fur, while slightly more, 54 percent, said they oppose hunting for sport.The nationwide survey of 1,612 adults was conducted Dec. 4-7. The sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
While 47 percent of those polled said animals "are just like humans in all important ways," 51 percent disagreed and 2 percent had no opinion.
Selected respondents indicated in interviews that they equated animals' and humans' emotions and reasoning ability. Some said animals are entitled to basic rights, just like people.
Some cited religious convictions for disagreeing, saying that people have God-granted control over animals for utilitarian reasons.
"I don't feel animals have a soul," said one respondent. "They were put here for our use, either for labor or eating or experimental purposes."
Forty-six percent said they believed that laws protecting animals from inhumane treatment are satisfactory.