ISSUE NO. 01
DECEMBER 2021The Truth About Animal CrueltyWritten by: Keagan Mattison
What is animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviours harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing - some cruelty investigated is even unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education. Intentional cruelty can run the gamut from knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization or veterinary care to maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating or killing an animal.

All animal cruelty is a great concern because it is wrong to inflict suffering on any living creature.
Why is it a concern?
Intentional cruelty is a particular concern because it is a sign of psychological distress and often indicates that an individual either has already been a victim of violence or might be predisposed to committing acts of violence. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of other forms of violence, including child abuse, spousal abuse and elder abuse. In fact, the most registered psychological practitioners consider animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.
Why would anyone be cruel to animals?
There can be many reasons. Animal cruelty, like any other form of violence, is often committed by a person who feels powerless, unnoticed or under the control of others. The motive may be to shock, threaten, intimidate or offend others or to demonstrate rejection of society's rules. Some who are cruel to animals copy acts they have seen or that have been done to them. Others see harming an animal as a safe way to get revenge against - or threaten - someone who cares about that animal.
How many animals are victims of cruelty each year?
Because there is no national reporting requirement for animal abuse, there is no way to track the number of animal cruelty cases that are filed or that make it to court each year.Photo: Clinton MahlaseWhat is animal neglect?
The pain of an animal who lingers with untreated illness or wounds, or without nourishment or shelter, can be tremendous - sometimes even more so than those who are victims of directly inflicted violence, because their suffering is so prolonged. Animals who starve to death experience a myriad of painful symptoms throughout each stage of their physical deterioration. What is criminal animal neglect?
Animal neglect situations are those in which the animal's caretaker or owner fails to provide food, water, shelter or veterinary care sufficient for survival. It can be either deliberate or unintentional, but either way, the animal suffers terribly. Extended periods of neglect can lead to seriously compromised health or even death. Dogs who are continually chained are also neglect victims. Because dogs are social pack animals, isolating them at the end of a chain causes them anguish that can drive them to aggression, neuroses and self-mutilation behaviours. Are there laws against animal neglect?
Animal neglect situations are those in which the animal's caretaker or owner fails to provide food, water, shelter or veterinary care sufficient for survival. It can be either deliberate or unintentional, but either way, the animal suffers terribly. Extended periods of neglect can lead to seriously compromised health or even death. Dogs who are continually chained are also neglect victims. Because dogs are social pack animals, isolating them at the end of a chain causes them anguish that can drive them to aggression, neuroses and self-mutilation behaviours. Although many people do not recognise animal neglect as illegal animal abuse, there is a provision specifically addressing animal neglect written into their animal cruelty laws. What happens in formal animal cruelty cases?
Depending on the severity of the case, those convicted of animal cruelty can be imprisoned. Appropriate sentencing can also include individual or family counselling, community service, placement in a diversion program and a prohibition on owning or caring for animals. What can I do to help fight animal cruelty?
Be aware of the signs of animal cruelty and know how to report suspected cruelty to animals. Some neglect cases, when the owners' lack of resources and/or knowledge is the problem, can be resolved simply by educating the owner and working with them to adjust their animal's living conditions.
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