What constitutes cruelty to animals and when can you involve

Animal abuse, also known as cruelty to animals being done by any individual, includes the act of harm, distress, or suffering caused to animals due to the involvement of people. Yes, thats the legal definition!

Animal abuse can increase the stress level of normal animals. This includes physically doing violence to them, abusing them, neglecting their needs, exploiting them or intentionally harming them. Animal abuse is not only ethically wrong but morally against the laws of any country. Take laws for animal abuse in Wagoner, Oklahoma for instance. Moreover, it includes several punishable laws which exist in almost every corner of the world and involve punishment of varying degrees for individuals who violate them. Also, it depends upon the degree of cruelty a person has done to animals.

There are various broad and specific definitions of animal abuse which include:
Abusing them physically

Physical abuse includes kicking, beating, burning, or harming animals physically. Moreover, mutilating their organs or injuring them for their use as objects for entertainment or as part of revenge-taking purposes also comes under physical abuse. Giving animals poison so that they can die deliberately is also a physical abuse of them, which is a serious violation of their rights.

Neglecting and alienation of animals

Neglecting of animals includes providing them food, shelter, water and medical care for them. This gives them a sense of neglect, which can increase their stress level. Leaving animals in harsh weather conditions can harm them, which is the highest level of neglect as it shows people don’t care for them.

Keeping animals in overcrowded conditions can affect their health condition and can increase the chances of illness for them. It can also risk the spreading of diseases in the living area of animals, which shows the careless behaviour of people towards animals. Taking care of certain animals and ignoring the care of others shows alienation in animals. It can increase a sense of insecurity for animals.

Planned animal brutality

Animals abuse increases the chance of their injury when they are used for fighting or entertainment purposes. When people use them to entertain themselves by indulging them in cocking fighting between two cocks and also dog fighting between two dogs which can increase the chances of injury for them. Many also use animals for gambling, which is the highest level of abuse of animals.

Breeding of animals illegally increases the chances of harm for them, and this shows the illegal privatization of profit by individuals over the welfare of animals. Using animals for experimentation, torching them, or using them for testing purposes increases the chances of brutality against animals.

Exploitation and destruction of wildlife

Killing animals for fur and ivory or making illegal trade of animals increases their extent within no time. The population of animals not only decreases through these activities but also makes them prone to a decrease in their chances of survival on Earth. Animal abuse increases the chances of destroying the natural habitats of animals, which can lead to starvation and displacement of animals. Hunting animals for their use in sports or commercial purposes puts their lives at risk, which can lead to their extinction.

Abusing animals emotionally and physiologically

The isolation of animals to interact socially increases their chances of social deprivation. Animal abuse increases when you put them in chains or cages for most of the time. Moreover, human relief encourages bad and aggressive behaviour towards animals.

Why you should be concerned about animal abuse?

Animal abuse increases the chances of cruelty towards animals but also increases other crimes in society, like domestic violence, child abuse, and violent crimes against human beings. Several Studies show that people who commit harm to animals also indulge in crimes against humans with criminal and violent behaviour.

The better way to stop this abuse is to know what animal abuse is and what we should call it, laws for animals. Recognizing the signs of animal abuse, protecting the rights of animals, and bringing offence person to report their actions immediately in front of the police or any other law enforcement agency.

You can gather proof of the incident through videos, photos or recording video of the animal abuser. It will be credible proof and help in the investigation. Record the date, time, and location of the place where animal abuse has taken place. Also, you can add more credibility by adding eyewitnesses to the violation incident.

When can you involve a lawyer?

Filing Complaints – A lawyer can help file legal complaints against individuals or organizations involved in animal abuse.
Animal Protection Laws – They ensure that national and local animal protection laws are enforced properly
Litigation Support – Lawyers can represent individuals or organizations in court cases related to animal abuse.
Injunctions & Restraining Orders – Legal professionals can obtain court orders to prevent further harm to animals.
Prosecuting Offenders – They assist in bringing criminal charges against abusers under animal cruelty laws.
Civil Lawsuits – Victims (or advocacy groups) can sue abusers for damages related to harm inflicted on animals.
Whistleblower Protection – If someone reports abuse, a lawyer can protect them from retaliation.
Holding Corporations Accountable – Lawyers can challenge businesses involved in illegal animal cruelty, such as factory farms or illegal pet breeding operations.
Seizing Animals from Abusers – Legal action can facilitate the rescue of mistreated animals from abusive owners.
Challenging Wrongful Pet Ownership – Lawyers can argue in court to revoke ownership from unfit individuals.
Strengthening Animal Welfare Policies – Lawyers can advocate for stronger animal protection laws.
Lobbying for Legal Reforms – They help push for amendments in outdated or weak animal cruelty laws.
Educating Law Enforcement – Legal experts can guide police and authorities on handling animal cruelty cases effectively.
Supporting Animal Welfare Organizations – Lawyers provide legal advice to NGOs and rescue groups fighting for animal rights.
Drafting Pet Custody Agreements – They help settle pet custody disputes in divorce or separation cases.
Protecting Wildlife & Endangered Species – Lawyers can take action against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Monitoring Zoos & Circuses – Legal intervention ensures compliance with ethical treatment laws in captive animal environments.
Preventing Animal Testing Abuses – Legal professionals challenge unethical animal testing practices in laboratories.
Social Media & Defamation Protection – Lawyers assist activists facing lawsuits from corporations or individuals involved in animal cruelty.
International Animal Rights Advocacy – They help in cases where animal cruelty laws conflict across different countries.

As responsible citizens, it becomes our duty to keeo ourselves and those around us safe, especially if they cannot speak for themselves or are weaker beings.