In part, he knew, this happiness was fostered by German law, which forbade cruelty to animals and punished violators with prison, and here Dodd found deepest irony. At a time when hundreds of men have been put to death without trial or any sort of evidence of guilt, and when the population literally trembles with fear, animals have rights guaranteed them which men and women cannot think of expecting. He added, One might easily wish he were a horse!
Dodd observed a stark contrast in the treatment of animals versus humans in Germany during a time of pervasive fear and injustice. He noted that while the law protected animals from cruelty and ensured that offenders faced prison time, countless individuals were being executed without trial or evidence, living in a climate of terror. This disparity highlighted the irony of a society that valued animal rights over human life and dignity.
In his reflection, Dodd expressed a longing to be in the position of animals, seemingly granted more rights and protections than people facing dire circumstances. His statement encapsulates the tragic reality of the era, where the rights and well-being of animals stood in stark relief against the backdrop of human suffering and repression, ultimately raising profound questions about morality and justice.
