Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Silver View Post
If I recall, the American Humane Society was founded to protect the mules that were pulling barges on the Erie Canal and falling in and drowning. No one really cared about the little immigrant kids that were driving the mules and drowning...they were a dime a dozen, but the mules...they were a valuable commodity.
I don't think that's true. Look up the histories of the various Humane Societies and ASPCA orgs online. The American Humane group was in fact founded as equally dedicated to helping both abused animals and abused children.

The ASPCA was begun to protect the rights of abused working horses in New York City, horses that were routinely abused, starved, overworked, and beaten to death on the streets.