The discovery of 160 puppies and kittens being transported illegally through China’s postal service last week has thrown the country’s cruel ‘pet blind box’ craze into the spotlight.

What is animal labour? Do all animals work or only some? If we recognise them as workers, should they enjoy labour rights? These were some of the questions discussed at an online roundtable last weekend on May 1, the traditional day of remembrance for labour-related struggles.

The tragic story of Bowser the family dog, who was euthanised by YouTuber Nikki Phillippi and her husband Dan out of apparent fear for their child’s safety, has sparked a massive outcry with much of social media accusing the family of being murderers. What does this tell us about our attitudes to non-human animals? An awful lot, it seems.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has received the Royal Assent paving the way for tougher prison sentences of up to five years for those convicted of unnecessary animal cruelty. Seen by many as complementary to Finn’s Law, which protects service animals such as police dogs, such laws are great news for some animals but not for most others reminding us once again that society still has a long way to go to overcome its speciesism.