History & Controversy
Opposition to vivisection had led the government to set up a Royal Commission on Vivisection in July 1875, which recommended that legislation be enacted to control it. This Act was created as a result, but was criticized by National Anti-Vivisection Society — itself founded in December 1875 — as "infamous but well-named," in that it made no provision for public accountability of licensing decisions. The law remained in force for 110 years, until it was replaced by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is the subject of similar criticism from the modern animal rights movement.
Such was the perceived weakness of the Act, that vivisection opponents chose, on at least one occasion — the Brown Dog affair — to incite a libel suit rather than seek a prosecution under the Act.
Read more about this topic: Cruelty To Animals Act 1876
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