>I suspect animal on animal violence is common in old cartoons because more people spent time with animals. The idea that we should stop animals from hurting ea

>I suspect animal on animal violence is common in old cartoons because more people spent time with animals. The idea that we should stop animals from hurting each other is a very recent notion. I don't think cartoons of the time were intended to present realistic depictions of animal behavior, so much as use them as tropes and archetypes. Rather I suspect physical and slapstick comedy was popular at the time, and that broad style of comedy was easier to portray in a visual medium.