[3] Laurids Smith believed that God had endowed animals and humans with the right to enjoy life.

Smith believed that animals could be eaten for food but not exploited beyond basic needs.

[3] Smith held the view that animals are intellectual and sentient beings that are meant to experience happiness and joy as God intended.

[5] In 1791, Smith authored a book on the nature of animals and human duties towards them.

[7] Smith was influenced by a 1711 work by Adam Gottlieb Weigen, another early animal rights writer.