Jan 20 2009
What Is Animal Cruelty?
Animal cruelty occurs when a person actively or passively hurts an animal. Passive animal cruelty is constitued by neglect whereas active animal cruelty is constituted by animal abuse.
When a person does not provide a cat with enough food, water, shelter in extreme temperatures, allowing one’s collar to grow into the skin, or does not provide a cat with medical care when he or she needs it, the person is engaging in animal neglect. Animal neglect can also include allowing a cat’s coat to become extremely matted or tangled or allowing your cat to be infested with fleas and/or tics.
Animal abuse is committed when a person intentionally harms an animal. Animal abuse also includes killing an animal in any fashion.
Signs that an animal is being abused or neglected include:
*Flea or tick infestation
*Extremely matted or tangled fur
*Limping
*Cowering in a corner, fear of being approached, or backs away when you raise your hand to pet the animal
*Patches of missing fur
*Pets that are kept outside in extreme temperature and weather conditions
*Extremely thin, looks as if the animal is being starved
*Dogs that are repeatedly left chained in a yard for long periods of time without adequate food and/or water
*Wounds
*Animals that are sick or injured for a prolonged period of time
*Seeing an owner hitting or otherwise physically harming an animal
*An animal that has been hit by a car and has not received care by a veterinarian
Animal cruelty is a big issue, and it is important that you report any suspected animal abuse or neglect so that the animal can be taken care of and removed from the situation if necessary.
Tomorrow, I will discuss the importance of reporting animal cruelty as well as how to report it in your area.
