Martin (1754–1834)

Richard Martin MP in conjunction with Edinburgh-born Lord Erskine succeeded in getting the "Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822" or 'Martin's Act', passed into British law—the first legislation against animal cruelty introduced by means of a Parliamentary procedure anywhere in the world. It received Royal assent on the 22 July 1822. Martin's Act sought to prevent the cruel and improper treatment of horses, mares, geldings, mules, asses, cows, heifers, steers, oxen, sheep and other cattle. The introduction of this and subsequent legislation is shown in Figure 2 (legislation).

Two years later, on 16 June 1824, a meeting was called in Old Slaughters Co ffee House, Martins Lane, London at which various clergymen and anti-slavery campaigners launched the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Martin was also present and tasked to investigate the markets and streets of the Metropolis, slaughterhouses and the behaviour of coachmen. In 1840, Victoria I granted the "Royal" prefix, and so the RSPCA was born. Neither Act nor Royal Society were initially motivated to control animal vivisection although this was soon to change. The foundation of this and other organisations concerned with vivisection is shown in Figure 2.

**Figure 2.** Key events in animal experimentation in the UK partitioned into the introduction of legislative and optional (recommended) constraints, and the formation of societies that have influenced the use of anaesthetics and analgesics in animal experiments. Alternatively shaded x axis blocks each represent a 50 year epoc. A(SP)A 1986: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. ARRIVE: Animals in Research: Reporting in Vivo Experiments; Reporting guidelines. Additional dates for reference: [1]: 1873 Sanderson publishes, "Handbook for the Physiological Laboratory"; [2]: the Magnan "affair"; [3]: the brown dog affair. ALF: Animal Liberation Front; AVA: Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists; BAAS: British Association for the Advancement of Science; BLAVA: British Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association; BUAV: British Union of Anti-vivisectionists; ECVAM: European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods; FRAME: Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments; IAT: Institute of Animal Technology; LASA: Laboratory Animal Science Association; NAVS: National Anti-Vivisection Society; NC3Rs: National Centre for the 3Rs; LAVA: Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association; RDS: Research Defence Society; SPCA: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; UFAW: Universities Federation for Animal Welfare; UAR: Understanding Animal Research.
