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For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle De Long
E-mail: mdelong@mansdominion.org
Website: www.MansDominion.org
Phone: 773-267-4640
Animal Rights Film Starved for Funding:
Documentary Filmmaker Appeals for Donations
An important new film that documents the fight for basic animal rights under US law is stalled due to a lack of funding. Independent filmmaker Michelle De Long has already completed about half of the production using her own money and donations, and needs $20,000 to finish the project.
"Man's Dominion: The Complexities and Controversies of Animal Law and the Animal Rights Law Movement" examines the efforts of the Animal Rights Law (ARL) movement to legally change the role of pet ownership to guardianship, and what that change would mean economically, socially, morally, spiritually, and politically.
Currently, animals like dogs and cats are considered the property of their owners and have no more legal rights than inanimate objects such as cars or houses. Oddly, US law considers boats and corporations to be "persons" which bestows upon them more rights than animals have.
The ARL's goal is to elevate the status of some domesticated animals, and obtain basic liberty rights for them such as the right to bodily integrity and "personhood".
Film Examines Both Sides of Emotional Debate
The 90-minute film balances the views of the animal rights movement with those of its detractors... the religious leaders who believe God gave man dominion over animals; the veterinarians who fear increased malpractice suits if animals gain more rights; and the pet industry itself, worried about the economic impact on breeders and pet stores.
De Long says she's dedicated to completing and distributing the film because of the importance of the animal rights issue in our culture - 63 million American families share their homes with companion animals. Whether or not those pets deserve greater legal protection is an issue that touches nearly everyone.
De Long says, "Ultimately I hope the film will facilitate a dialogue that currently is not being aired. I hope it will enlighten people to the issues. I don't expect all of them to act upon them, but at least to take a few minutes and think about what the human/animal relationship really is."
De Long is seeking donations to help her complete "Man's Dominion".
To view online clips from the film, click here: http://www.mansdominion.org/clips.html
To request an interview with Michelle De Long, please phone 773-267-4640 or email: mdelong@mansdominion.org
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