I agree that animals and humans are different, and I agree that animals are property. However, there is a big difference between my dog and my coffee table. If I want to collect coffee tables, beat the crap out of them, set them on fire, not feed them, inflict undue suffering by not dusting, then hey, I can. It's a friggin' coffee table. But if I were to do any of the above to an animal, I shouldn't be allowed to own one.
People should not be allowed to beat animals (except when they get on the good couch and destroy the new throw pillows
) and inflict undue suffering. I'm not a vegetarian. I eat meat. That doesn't mean that I don't want the animals to be treated respectfully during their short life.
There should (IMHO) be some legal classification for animals that is between human and coffee table. And I don't believe in this "guardian" crap. I need a guardian for my child. I need a kennel for my dog.