The love of animals, whether the animals are domestic or wild, large or small, is nearly universal. Today, after decades of legal battles and ethical and moral conversations, most people believe that animals have certain basic rights. We know that they deserve to be treated well, or at least not poorly. Governments have made being cruel to animals a criminal act punishable by time in jail, and punishments for animal cruelty are only getting more harsh. And studies have shown that animal cruelty is a precursor in many instances to cruelty against humans. In short, we know that the criminal act of animal cruelty is something we must take seriously.
Animal rights groups have worked to develop a support system for animals that would otherwise have no voice. In the legal system, legislation has helped to defend the rights of animals that cannot speak for themselves. There is still much work to be done, and in a perfect world, we would not need legal representation for animals because there would be no animal cruelty. Until that day comes, however, we must do all we can to be an informed populace regarding animal welfare.
What Is Animal Cruelty?
Animal cruelty is a hot topic and has been for decades. The trouble is that while the definition of animal abuse is rather clear, there is some gray area between tending to or disciplining an animal and abuse that would be considered criminal. For instance, is it criminal to brand cattle? Is it criminal to castrate bulls? Luckily, animal advocacy groups have worked to help define the difference between reasonable behavior for an animal’s owner and behavior that is cruel and unnecessary and therefore criminal.
- What Is Animal Cruelty?
- What Can You Do if You See Animal Cruelty?
- Animal Cruelty Facts
- Reporting Internet Animal Abuse
- Animal Abuse and Human Abuse: Partners in Crime
Facts About Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty is nothing anyone likes talking about, but it is an important matter. The protection of animals is of vital importance, and knowing facts about it can allow us to do something about it. For instance, did you know that only one in ten broiler chickens, which are chickens bred specifically for meat production, can walk? The rest are simply too big to support their weight with their legs. Such a fact is not always considered to be a criminal level of cruelty, and knowing this can mean the difference between changing an industry and jailing an abuser.
- 11 Facts About Animal Cruelty
- More Animal Cruelty Facts
- Facts and Myths About Animal and Domestic Abuse
- Animal Cruelty/Domestic Violence Fact Sheet
- The Real Cost of Animal Cruelty
- National Coalition on Violence Against Animals: Facts
- 13 Facts About Animal Abuse in the Circus
- Animal Cruelty and Dog-Fighting Statistics
Animal Advocates
There are organizations around the world dedicated to the protection and well-being of animals. These organizations do charity work, volunteer their time, and provide legal counsel for the animals they represent. Without the work of these organizations, the idea of animal rights, let alone the protection of them, would be a foreign concept.
- Animal Rights National Conference
- Farm Animal Rights Movement
- Mercy for Animals
- Animal Rights Activism Committee
- Animal Rights Coalition
- Animal Agriculture Alliance
- Alliance for Animals and the Environment
- Animal Welfare Council
- Northwest Animal Rights Network
- Animal Welfare Institute
State Laws
Thanks to state and national animal rights organizations, the idea of animal rights is rather common today. It’s not something that necessarily needs to be explained, but it is something that needs to be legislated. This legislation largely falls to the states rather than the federal government. With each state adhering to different laws, standing up for the rights of animals can get somewhat confusing. Knowing what the animal cruelty statutes say in your particular municipality or state can help you to spot criminal acts against animals and to push for change in the animal abuse laws if it is necessary.
- Animal Cruelty Laws by State
- Animal Protection Laws of the U.S. and Canada
- States’ Animal Cruelty Statutes
- State Anti-Cruelty Laws
- State and Local Animal Welfare Guidelines
More Resources
- Recognizing the Signs of Animal Cruelty
- National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse
- Animal Cruelty
- Bikers Against Animal Cruelty
- Canadians for Animal Welfare Reform
- What Can You Do to Stop Animal Cruelty?
- Stop Animal Abuse
- 11 Signs of Animal Cruelty and How You Can Help
- Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis
- Ending Animal Entertainment
- What You Can Do to Stop Factory Farming
- What You Can Do to Stop Animal Testing
- Campaign to Stop Slaughterhouse Abuse
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