The single greatest legal barrier to animal rights is the "property status" of animals. If you own a dog, legally, if that dog is killed by a neighbor, you can sue for the value of the dog (perhaps $50 for a mutt), not for the emotional trauma or the life lost. This is a property claim.
What might the future hold? Three trends suggest change: bestiality chat rooms
Animal welfare is based on the principle that animals are sentient beings and that humans have a moral obligation to minimize their suffering. It accepts the use of animals for food, research, and entertainment, provided that humane standards are maintained. The single greatest legal barrier to animal rights