The tragedies of World War II are well known. But at least one has been forgotten: in September 1939, four hundred thousand cats and dogs were massacred in Britain. The government, vets, and animal charities all advised against this killing. So why would thousands of British citizens line up to voluntarily euthanize household pets?
Drawing extensively on new research from animal charities, state archives, diaries, and family stories, Kean does more than tell a virtually forgotten story. She complicates our understanding of World War II as a “good war” fought by a nation of “good” people. Accessibly written and generously illustrated, Kean’s account of this forgotten aspect of British history moves animals to center stage-forcing us to rethink our assumptions about ourselves and the animals with whom we share our homes.
Categoria:History, Nature, European History, Military History, British History – General & Miscellaneous, Animals, World War II, 20th Century British History – Social Aspects, 20th Century British History – World War II, Animal Rights, British History – Social Aspects, Great Britain – World War II, World War II – Social Aspects
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