The German People have always had a great love for animals and have always been conscious of our strong ethical obligations toward them. And yet, only thanks to the the National Socialist Leadership has the widely shared wish for an improvement in the legal provisions affecting the protection of animals, the wish for the establishment of a specific law that would recognize the right which animals inherently possess to be protected in and of themselves, been achieved in reality.

Comment on the Law on Hunting, 1934

And though I know this creature lent
As well for pleasure as for need;
That I the wrong thereof prevent,
Let me still carefully take heed.
That creature to oppress or grieve,
Which God to serve him doth prepare
Himself of mercy doth deprive.
And he, or his, unless in time
The do repent of that abuse,
Shall one day suffer for his crime;
And want such creatures for their use.

[George Wither, 1641, in a poem about a horse.]