Beyond the ethical and moral considerations, and our own personal beliefs, state laws guide us on what type of incidents or situations warrant the label of animal cruelty. And although the law is admittedly vague, it provides us with some guidelines. Animal cruelty can run the gamut from the unintentional neglect to the intentional torture of an animal. Neglect situations generally stem from the omission of what by law an owner shall provide to their animals, namely; wholesome food and water, adequate shelter from the weather, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering and humane care and treatment. It is important for us to keep in mind that the level of care we may provide for our animals may be decidedly different than what an owner suspected of neglect may provide, however, it may not be illegal. Often, the situation can be corrected by a humane investigator providing education and reasonable suggestions. Cruel treatment however, which includes but is not limited to beating, tormenting, and starving an animal, along with the felony offenses of animal torture and animal fighting, are intentional acts, and warrant an investigation that seeks criminal charges. .
Animal cruelty encompasses a range of different behaviors harmful to animals, .
from neglect to malicious, brutal killings. Studies show that animal cruelty may lead to .
more serious forms of crime, like heavy drug use, violent outbursts, and most common, .
cold blooded murder. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the .
last twenty-five years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. .
A web page that goes by the name Animal Alliance says "most cruelty investigated by humane officers, is unintentional neglect, and can be resolved through education." I was slightly shocked when I saw this comment. Anyone who puts an animals" life in their hands, has a responsibility to it.