I put the phrase in quotes to indicate the meaning of treating someone poorly. Treating animals poorly is not appropriate.

But my point is that animals should not be treated “like animals” either. They should be included in the social contract and afforded a basic minimum of respect and autonomy, not enslaved and exploited.

Why?

Isn’t similarly militant and self-righteous when someone feels this way about trans rights or abolishing slavery?

Digging through e-waste bins is one of my hobbies.