What Constitutes Animal Cruelty?

Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Examples include overt animal abuse, dog and cock fighting and animal neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care such as fresh water and food or shelter. Animals are covered by state animal cruelty laws, which vary from state to state and county to county. The Humane Society works to educate people about the proper care of animals and how to prevent animal cruelty. Animal cruelty can be divided into two general categories: neglect and intentional cruelty.

Neglect

Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter, shade, and veterinary care. Neglect may be due to ignorance on the 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.

Intentional Cruelty

Intentional cruelty is often more shocking than neglect and is frequently an indicator of a serious human behavior problem. Intentional cruelty is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal. The Humane Society has volunteers whom were appointed by the County Commissioners to serve as cruelty investigators. Volunteers with animal investigation authority have arrested individuals who have deliberately maimed, tortured or killed animals. Although many individuals are arrested for intentional cruelty, people who commit even the most heinous crimes against animals are often not prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In most cases, the Humane Society gains possession of the animal, recovers the cost for medical treatment of the animal and the perpetrator receives community service. Someone who is violent towards animals may be violent towards family members or others.