Animal Rights Victory in 2010 was Declared by the  ASPCA and others.
http://www.aspca.org/News/Tri-State/Tri-State-News-Detail.aspx?NDate=20101105&NType=TriState
Disclaimer. There are wide viewpoints on this subject
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Broadly SPEAKING, there are two approaches to the issue. The animal welfare position holds that there is nothing inherently wrong with using animals for human purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, and research, but that it should be done in a humane way that minimizes unnecessary PAIN and suffering. Animal rights theorists criticize this position, arguing that the words "unnecessary" and "humane" are subject to widely differing interpretations, and that the only way to ensure protection for animals is to end their status as property, and to ensure that they are never used as commodities. Laws concerning animal cruelty are designed to prevent needless cruelty to animals, rather than killing for other aims such as food, or they concern species not eaten as food in the country involved, such as those regarded as pets.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruelty_to_animal

"PETA's effective activism SCARE well-heeled business interests that abuse animals," spokeswoman Jane Dollinger said "but when these outfits used their connections to violate the U.S. Constitution, the FBI's ham-handed attempt to catch us with our pants down backfired. As a result, the FBI was caught with its pants down."

Dogs and cats get First Amendment rights

Jul 30th, 2010 by Michelle Lore
Dogs and cats have been given the right to free speech — in MASSACHUSETTS anyway.