Which is obviously a problem when some people and countries start de-humanizing others they do not agree with saying things like "These aren't people; these are animals". We know how some people mistreat animals so we should understand where this is going.
All animals are sentient creatures.
Indisputable fact. End of story.
Even jellyfish and oysters? You do realise that not all animals possesses the capacity to experience emotions. Some exhibit basic reflexes.
Possibly even bacteria. Anything that has the "life force".
It's only our own inbuilt prejudices that prevent us from acknowledging this.
We only see cute cuddly creatures as
possibly possessing sentience. And sometimes not even them.