Constitutional law and animals: a break with legal anthropocentrism?

Within a context of broadening the principles of constitutionalism, we have seen the introduction of provisions recognising the inherent interests of animals in a growing number of constitutional texts. This relatively recent trend marks a limitation of legal anthropocentrism in two ways. Firstly, the relevant stipulations can be used as the basis for limiting core human interests, i.e. fundamental rights. Secondly, they could lead to restrictions on the evaluative capacity of public authorities in their relations with animals. Nevertheless, these provisions do not entail a break with legal anthropocentrism, as human interests continue to enjoy clear precedence over those of animals.