From 1911 to 1986, canaries were traditionally taken down British coal mines to alert workers to the presence of toxic gases. If the animals got sick, humans knew to leave the area. Today sniffer dogs are used by the police and the military to locate drugs, landmines and even dead bodies.
The gratitude to animals, which bring us companionship and even rescue us, contributed to making the modern concept of animal rights popular. The idea can be traced back to 19th century England. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was created in 1824 and is still going strong today.
Local groups in different countries have focused on issues on their own area. Spanish animal rights activists, for example, have engaged in a campaign to ban bullfighting.
And the animals don't have to be majestic bulls or cute birds, cats and dogs to be spared suffering. What about pythons and iguanas? They have rights too, according to the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Singer Beyonce was criticised recently by the organisation for wearing a costume made of the skins of such animals on a recent Super Bowl appearance.
Quiz 測驗 1. Why did Cookie flap his wings and squawk?
To alert his owner to a fire.
2. What happened in Kayla's house that could have killed the dog and her owner?
A gas leak.
3. According to the article, which animals do humans use to help them?
The article mentions canaries and dogs.
4. Is this statement true or false? Activists believe that only animals that can be domesticated have rights.
False. According to the article, even pythons and iguanas are defended by the animal rights group PETA.
5. Which word in the article means sweet or endearing?
Cute.
Glossary 词汇表 a hero英雄 courage勇氣，膽量 to save解救 to break out突然發生，爆發 to flap拍打、抖動（翅膀） to squawk（鳥）發出響亮而粗厲的叫聲 to alert提醒，報警 the blaze大火 to flee逃離，逃走 to warn提醒，發出警告 a gas leak煤氣洩漏 to survive倖免於難，活下來 out of harm's way免受、脫離傷害 a toxic gas有毒氣體 a sniffer dog嗅探犬 to trace back追溯到 cruelty虐待，殘酷行為 cute可愛的 to spare免受（傷害），倖免
