The use of
these photographs is intended to display the harmful effects
of animal cruelty. User discretion is advised.
What Constitutes Animal Cruelty?
Acts of violence or neglect
perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty.
Examples include overt abuse, dog fighting and cock fighting,
and companion animals being neglected or denied basic necessities
of care, such as food, water or shelter. Animal welfare
organizations across the country work daily to educate people
about how to care for their companion animals and how they
can prevent animal cruelty.
Many people who witness,
or hear about cruelty, are not aware that legal action can
be taken to help stop the problem. Companion animals are
primarily covered by state animal cruelty laws, which vary
from state to state and county to county. These laws may
be confusing to people who want to help animals in distress
but are not clear on what constitutes animal cruelty.
Generally, animal
cruelty can be divided into two categories:
Neglect and Intentional Cruelty
Neglect
is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic
of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the animal
owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner
to correct the situation. If the problem is not corrected,
the animal may be removed from the neglectful person by
law enforcement authorities. In some cases, the owner will
simply turn the animal over to authorities because they
no longer want the responsibility.
Intentional
cruelty is often more shocking and usually an indicator
of a serious human behavior problem. Intentional cruelty
is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or
injury on an animal.
The ASPCA and other
organizations with cruelty investigation authority have
arrested many individuals, who have deliberately maimed,
tortured or even killed animals. Although many individuals
are arrested for intentional cruelty, in the past, people
who committed even the most heinous crimes against animals
were often not prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Times have changed! More and more states are taking action,
seeking maximum punishment, and are lobbying for more tougher
laws.
Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state
38 states and the
District of Columbia currently have laws that make intentional
cruelty a felony charge, while 12 states treat neglectful
cruelty and intentional cruelty as a misdemeanor; but changes
are in the works.
Many states now require the person convicted of cruelty
to undergo psychological evaluation and counseling, in addition
to paying a fine or
being imprisoned. An increasing number of states are instituting
cross training and reporting programs involving social service
workers who are likely to see cases of animal abuse during
the course of their work in domestic violence and child
abuse. This development arises from the research validating
the "link" between animal abuse and human violence.
A number of states provide civil and criminal immunity to
veterinarians who report suspected cases of animal abuse
to law enforcement authorities
since they are likely to be the first ones to come in contact
with an abused animal. Enforcement of animal cruelty laws
can be carried out by local police or by humane or municipal
agencies that are granted power from
the state or local government.
How You Can Help
If you witness or
hear about animal cruelty taking place, report it to your
local humane organization or call your local police, or
your local animal control authorities. . Become a member
of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade and take an active part in
passing legislation. Send all inquiries to government@aspca.org
or call the Government Affairs & Public Policy department.
Teaching future generations to respect animal life will
make our society more humane. Make sure schools in your
town include humane education as part of their curriculum.
Contact the ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.
If you want to adopt a pet, go to your local shelter first.
You can also log onto www.1800saveapet.com or www.Petfinder.com
to search the Internet's largest directory of animals available
for adoption. If you own a pet, be responsible and provide
it with annual veterinary checkups and preventative medical
care; spay or neuter your cat or dog to reduce pet overpopulation
and urge your friends to do the same.
Support your local animal rescue organization or shelter
with donations of money, food or supplies. Volunteering
your time or fostering a shelter animal is a good way to
make a difference. Fostering helps socialize abused or frightened
animals before they are adopted.
© 2004 ASPCA
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If you reside in
the city of Los Angeles, the Animal Abuse Hotline # is
[ 213-847-1417 ]
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end animal suffering, we must take action together.
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Animal Cruelty 
Updated 07-08