Animal Cruelty

The very act of cruelty to animals is not ‘human’. The subsequent standard of interaction that causes an animal distress is unwarranted. The unnecessary suffering caused to animals only robs the planet and environment of its inherent nature of co-existence. In order to counter the undeniable existence of cruelty to animals, the governments all over the world have set standards applicable to animal cruelty legislation and its effective enforcement. These set paradigms may vary between different jurisdictions slightly and range from non-existent to more comprehensive measures. Animal cruelty measures, those that establish them, and the acts and conditions under which treatment towards animals is considered ‘cruel’ may also vary.

The main issue lies in categorizing practices such as animal farming for fur and factory requirements and testing for medical procedures and the preparation of various consumer products. The morality in question is a highly debatable concern and is looked into at different levels and by people from within and outside of the concerned fraternity. The term Zoosadism is applicable to cases where the documented and investigated cruelty to animals is on account of deliberate and unfair neglect. This involves abuse and cruelty, including instances of torture and killing! There are cultures across the world that actually ‘cover up’ cruelty to animals as ‘trials’ or ‘rehearsals’ towards a certain development.

It is important to understand though that viewed in perspective - not all cruelty can be categorized as sadism. There is a distinct difference between cruelty and abuse. The laws against animal cruelty may vary, but the ethics of human behavior are questionable by all. Jurisdictions around the world have maintained and enacted specific statutes with regards to animal cruelty. These laws forbid any act of cruelty to animals and lay down specifications for the care and treatment of animals. These laws do not specify optimal treatment or tackle issues related to animal confinement or lack of environment or any of the related stress.

The statutes specify the basics of shelter, food and medical treatment and punitive action for animal torture and inhumane killing. However, the laws are not applicable in the case of practices like the treatment of animals in the circus or rodeo. Even animals that are deemed as pests are exempted from mention within the laws against cruelty. In many countries, the enforced jurisdictions work within a network of humane societies and associations. These agencies work through the research and proof provided by their special officers and ensure the appropriate enforcement of statutes to deal with animal cruelty.

It is important for all those who are associated with animal treatment in some way or the other to know that they should identify the acts perceived as cruelty by the law to avoid punitive action. The penalties applicable for animal cruelty can be minimized if addressed in time and pursued and it is essential to know the felony penalties announced for certain forms of animal abuse. This misdemeanor offense can culminate in a huge monetary fine or even a life sentence resulting from felony convictions. In a number of countries, there are animal welfare charities that are given the authority to further investigate documented evidence and take up the prosecution of animal cruelty offences.

There has been an increase in the number of animal cruelty law enforcement officers. They investigate and rescue animals identified with inadequate shelter or food or deficiencies in the animal care provided by the owners. In many countries around the world, animal cruelty laws are slowly being implemented and enforced. The laws look into the banning of inflicted suffering on animals. Animal protection legislations that are propagated by activist groups like Animal Aid, Animal Rights Militia, Animal Liberation Front, Orimate Freedom Project and Viva are operative all around the world. There are a number of acts enforced like the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act and the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act that take care of the punitive action deserved in the case of animal cruelty.