The animal protection and the ampliation on the focus of public policy: the case of public veterinary hospitals

Abstract

The concept of public interest has undergone considerable changes over time, following changes occurred in the constitutional public duties. We propose in this paper an extension of the concept of public interest so as to encompass the interests of nonhuman animals. Such an extension is justified based on three perspectives: legal-constitutional, ethical and anthropocentric. Then, the article analyzes the paradigmatic case of the creation and maintenance of veterinary public hospitals by the government in São Paulo. Finally, although the greatness to be recognized in this initiative, the article point out some problems that should be investigated. We conclude that public policy should be open to ecocentric ethics, protecting the animals by their inherent value.