Henry Bergh | |
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![]() Bergh by George Edward Perine | |
Born | Henry Bergh August 29, 1813 New York City, US |
Died | March 12, 1888 New York City, US | (aged 74)
Education | Columbia College |
Occupation(s) | Diplomat, activist for humane treatment of animals and children |
Known for | Founding the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, helping found the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children |
Spouse | Catherine Matilda Taylor |
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Henry Bergh (August 29, 1813 – March 12, 1888) founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in April, 1866, three days after the first effective legislation against animal cruelty in the United States was passed into law by the New York State Legislature. One of the tasks he undertook was to pass a law that would prohibit the use of dogs for the monotonous and hot task of turning grills in restaurants. He made it. Later, when Bergh went to visit restaurants to monitor law enforcement, he discovered that numerous restaurants had replaced dogs with black children.[1] Therefore, Bergh also prompted the formation, in 1874, of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC).