Short answers, pulled from the story.
Emperor Ashoka issued orders against hunting and animal slaughter in the 3rd century BCE. His edicts aligned with ahimsa, the doctrine of non-violence that guided his rule over India.
Ireland passed an act in 1635 prohibiting plowing by the tail or pulling wool off living sheep. This legislation established early state-level protection for animals long before modern concepts existed.
Birds bred for fast growth have high incidence of leg deformities because large breast muscles cause distortions of developing legs and pelvis. They cannot support their increased body weight and frequently become lame or suffer from broken legs.
European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC came into act on the 1st of January 2012 banning conventional battery cages for laying hens across the Union.
Animal Welfare Institute American non-profit charitable organization founded Christine Stevens 1951 goal reducing suffering inflicted animals humans oldest animal welfare organizations US.