In 1865, America passed the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery. In 1950, it was legally abolished completely. Or so we thought…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) noticed that the Thirteenth Amendment prohibiting involuntary servitude, doesn’t specifically say that ONLY humans can be victims. So, with lawyers in their back pocket, they are forging ahead demanding SeaWorld’s five orca whales be put in the custody of a legal guardian and released into a “suitable habitat” claiming that they are slaves.

In response, SeaWorld maintained that "SeaWorld is among the world's most respected zoological institutions. There is no higher priority than the welfare of the animals entrusted to our care and no facility sets higher standards in husbandry, veterinary care and enrichment." SeaWorld and other U.S. marine parks are governed by the Marine Mammals Protection Act, which allows public displays of the creatures if permits are obtained and the facility offers education/conservation programs for the public.

But PETA demands, “By any definition, these orcas are slaves — kidnapped from their homes, kept confined, denied everything that's natural to them and forced to perform tricks for SeaWorld's profit. The males have their sperm collected, the females are artificially inseminated and forced to bear young.”

How far do animal rights extend?
Just a heads-up to those with pets, horses, cows, sheep and other farm animals.