Animal cruelty happens all over the world on a daily basis. Animals are abused in a variety of situations, including animal experimentation, in the entertainment industry and from neglect. Those who love animals cannot comprehend why some people would do such a thing. This travesty is so broad that one explanation is not possible. However, two forms of cruelty do exist, and understanding these can help a person to understand and hopefully aid the four legged creatures that suffer.

One of the most common types of animal cruelty is that of passive cruelty or cruelty by omission. This is a crime of neglect and does not involve a negative, physical assault to the animal. For animals, this can be a devastating form of cruelty. They can suffer neglect due to parasites, starvation, dehydration and inadequate shelter. This is a serious form of cruelty, which if left unnoticed, can mean a death sentence for the creature.

The opposite of passive cruelty is active cruelty to animals. This is when an individual deliberately and with intent causes physical harm to an animal. Those who display these acts of commission, as they may also be called, usually suffer from severe psychological issues. If a child displays this behavior at any time, then a parent should seek immediate help. These occurrences have been linked to sociopathic behavior and can become worse as the child reaches adult life. As well, this type of cruelty often happens in an abusive home. In a union between humans, often an abusive partner will abuse the family pet for revenge.

Animal cruelty is one thing that can be stopped if individuals will only take the first step. Through education, people can learn about the types of cruelty and how to stop it from happening. Animal abuse will not be stopped or contained in one day. However, if we, as a collective community, can become active in helping the animals that are mistreated, then perhaps one day we can put an end to this epidemic. All it takes is education and becoming involved in just a small way. One person can really make a difference in the life of an animal.

Animal cruelty laws vary from nation to nation. However, the one constant is the desire by people all over the globe to actively fight against the inhumane treatment of animals. To love animals of all types is to protect them, yet this has proven to be a larger job than many ever expected. Thanks to organizations around the globe, animal laws have been put in place to protect these defenseless creatures from harm.

Unlike the United States, Europe has a union of fifteen nations that has established certain animal cruelty laws. These laws can include jail time for the human perpetrator if an animal is hurt, abused, neglected, or if an illegal puppy mill is found in operation. One of the most stringent laws in their treaty is that no one shall abandon a companion animal. This can carry severe consequences. The US has left the governing of the animal laws up to the individual states; therefore, the punishments vary greatly from state to state.

Farm animals are also covered by the animal laws that the European Union has set forth. When it comes to farm animals, the transport and slaughter of these animals in the European Unionis much more progressive and stricter than in the United States. They rarely have issues, whereas the US is regularily in the papers for unethical treatment of a variety of animals waiting for slaughter.

Animal cruelty laws exist in the world to protect the animals. The countries of the European Union understand that animals are not property and therefore, their laws are more extensive. The US, on the other hand, is still coping with this issue because animals are viewed as property and not living creatures. The world has changed since the 1800s, and the time for the US laws to catch up is now, not tomorrow. People must take a stand in the fight for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Animal cruelty is one thing that many individuals cannot comprehend. Why a person abuses a helpless animal is beyond the scope of understanding of most individuals. However, it is an evil that does exist in society. To better understand what constitutes cruelty to animals, there are actually two types to consider. Perhaps understanding the types will enable those who have a love of animals to aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals.

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