Animal necropolitics: the killing of homeless animals by Public Authorities

Abstract

Theoretical notions of the concept of necropolitics can be applied under the focus of animals as subjects of rights to life, whose dignity has been threatened by repeated actions of the government that, under the pretext of serving human interests, have avocated an authority to sacrifice animals on the streets pointed as vectors of threat to local human health. From a dialogue with the theories of Mbembe's Necropolitics, Foucalt's Biopower and Agamben's Homo Sacer, this paper aims to describe how animals have been subjected to the same severity of death policy, exercised by the sovereign of the state power, against citizens from socially vulnerable segments. The methodology of documentary research will be adopted, with content analysis technique, having as objects judicial decisions, administrative and legislative acts, which have as merit the regulation of state actions that promote the sacrifice of animals. It will be concluded that respect for the dignity of life must be equal to animals and humans, disapproving of any policy that seeks to entail.