What is animal abuse/cruelty?
The term “animal cruelty,” or “animal abuse,” by its very nature is broad. According to the most basic interpretation of statutes from all 50 states here in America, it is defined as: “Any act against an animal that willfully and knowingly causes harm, injury, and/or death.” Most states limit this act to actual “substantial” physical injury to the animal and all exclude from punishment under the law the acts of hunting, slaughter and religious ritual sacrifice protected by the US Constitution. In most states, violence against animals is a misdemeanor.
