Do seals have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

[Aimless]

Alternatively: Do libertarian seals dream of natural rights?

DISCLAIMER: This is a serious thread. Though I was playing silly buggers when I created it, I have come to realise that the problem here is more important to me than I'd initially thought. So serious input more appreciated than non-serious input


Loki's been trying to get me to play this game y'all are playing, and he almost succeeded but then I learned that a key part of the game is the purchasing of seals for the purpose (according to Loki ) of clubbing. I was put off by this notion, but then I had to stop and think for a moment, because I suddenly realised I wasn't entirely sure why I found the idea of buying seals for clubbing to be objectionable. After a moment's thought I began to suspect that my discomfort arose from the implication that seals do not have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and never mind property!

Of course, the reality of this has long been known and I myself have supported that reality many times (most recently when I defended abortion while eating meat).

But is it sufficient simply to assert that natural rights are exclusive to "people" and cannot be held by seals? How convenient that would be, but also somewhat despicable by virtue of making the right to fundamental rights entirely conventional and somewhat arbitrary.

I admit I'll most likely continue to consume animals--not seals--but I think this puzzle will bother me for a while. Can any of you help? I look forward esp. to hearing from any vegetarian libertarians but all takes are welcome.