Animal rights or animal respect?

In Proverbs chapter 12:10 we read, “The righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Animals are to be treated with respect, but there is a difference between animal respect and animal rights. The PETA organization pushes for ‘animal rights.’ They feel that animals should have the same rights as humans. They feel that it is wrong to eat animals, to use animals for research, to put animals in zoos, or to wear animal furs. They call all of this animal cruelty. Christians should be concerned about animal cruelty but need to distinguish between animal respect and animal rights. All animals should be treated with respect. This is what the proverb is talking about ‘to regard the life of his animal.” But the Bible clearly teaches that ONLY man was made in God’s image and animals are not equal to humans. A righteous person would not treat animals cruel, but to raise animals for consumption by humans is not cruelty. Is it animal cruelty to use animals in medical research? No, as long as the animals are treated with respect and are being used to help advance human life. Is putting an animal in a zoo, animal cruelty? No, as long as the animals are treated with respect and are used in advancing human life. What about dog fights, cock fights, or bull fights? I would say these border on animal cruelty. These animals may be treated with respect but their suffering is for human entertainment. Much of our commercial animal industry such as chicken farms and cattle yards borders on a total disrespect for animal life. These animals are not allowed any access to fresh air, or an opportunity to free range. They are kept in dirty conditions and only raised in the bare minimum space. They are filled with unhealthy growth hormones just to get them fatter. I am convinced that organic farmers and Amish farmers are closer to what this proverb is talking about. “A righteous man regards the life of his animals.” Why do you think People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are the spokespeople for animals today? Is it possible they are filling a void that should be filled by Bible based believers?