It is much the same with horses, whales, and dolphins - or any other privileged species ...

It is much the same with horses, whales, and dolphins - or any other "privileged species." However, that privilege reveals the strength of cultural norms while, at the same time, simply speaks of different use traditions.

Some cultures use dogs as companion animals, hunters, racers, family members, living ornaments, items for "show" - but they are not generally used as food. Other cultures see dogs as "livestock."  ~  Dr. Roger Yates  

I subscribe to Vegan Society co-founder, Donald Watson's notion that ...

I subscribe to Vegan Society co-founder Donald Watson’s notion that people have to be “ripened” to new ideas – just as they had to be “ripened” to the new idea of veganism. I therefore believe that people are quite capable to taking on board the idea that nonhuman animals are rightholders. The fact that people may be rather befuddled by the terms “animals rights” and “animal rights violations” merely suggests to me that we have not used that language nearly enough, and we are failing in our “ripening” duties.  ~  Dr. Roger Yates