When
you first hear the word “animal abuse” you may think of it as physical abuse
and that it’s inhumane. Your right, animal abuse can be physical at times and
it is cruel. What many people fail to realize is that abuse has a variations of
different forms. Animal abuse isn’t only physical it can also be unintentional,
when people fail to acknowledge that they aren’t properly caring for their
animal. Animal abuse, intentional or not, should be stopped. Not only is
intentionally harming an animal looked down upon by the majority of people but
this can also lead to more serious matters with the person who is abusing the
animal. “This type of abuse involves purposefully inflicting harm on an animal
in order to feel more powerful or gain control. Active cruelty against animals
should be taken very seriously, since it can be a sign that a person has
serious psychological issues and may commit more acts of violence – possibly
against humans (Teen Ink 36).” People who are caught abusing animals purposely
should be punished and given the help that they need to reevaluate themselves.
Considering that animal abuse is
unlawful, it’s not a felony in Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, and South
Dakota. Action should be taken in these four states to help to prevent and stop
animal cruelty. Massachusetts on the
other hand defined animal cruelty as a crime, any violations of the law could
result in five years in state prison, two in a half years in county jail, or a
fine that could be two thousand and five hundred dollars. If Idaho,
Mississippi, North and South Dakota would take action like Massachusetts did
then it would prevent large amounts of animal cruelty and or stop the expanse
of animal abuse that’s taking place. Not only is Massachusetts taking action
but the other forty seven states have some type of felony for abuse towards
animals.
In addition to pets, farm animal
and wildlife are also being abused and neglected. “People with emotional problems may beat, shoot, or
stab animals or set them on fire. Those who abuse animals are very likely to be
violent to other people, even their own family (The Humane Society 5).” It
melts my heart and hearts all around the world to even think that someone could
possibly do something like this to an animal. It doesn’t matter if that animal
is a pet, farm animal, or wild, animals feel things too just like us humans. We
can take action again cruelty towards animals. There are many shelters and
places to donate to that help to save the lives of animals that have been
beaten and neglected. You can make a difference simply by saving one life at a
time.
Work Cited
Leigh, Jenny. Animal Cruelty Must Stop. N.p., n.d.
Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
<http://teenink.com/hot_topics/environment/article/90968/Animal-Cruelty-Must-Stop/
>.
Cruelty
Prevention . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.mspca.org/programs/cruelty-prevention/animal-cruelty-information/animal-cruelty-laws.html
>.
