It is said that when Ienobu TOKUGAWA (Tsunayoshi's nephew who became his adopted son) took the office of Shogun's assistant, he demanded the abolition of the law.
徳川家宣（綱吉の甥で、養子となる）は将軍後見職に就任した際、綱吉に生類憐みの令の即時廃止を要求したといわれている。