Animal cruelty is a big problem all around the world. Even with the extreme consequences, people still choose to harm animals that have no way of defending themselves. Due to the pandemic, more people are at home and can watch and listen for the noticeable and subtle signs of animals being harmed nearby. It might be because people are more attuned to animals’ well-being.

What are the consequences?

The consequences of animal cruelty vary on how bad the cruelty was/is. The minimum fine is $250.00 and could be as much as $1,000 for the first offense. 

This fine applies to each animal that was harmed. A penalty of 6 days in jail and 30 hours of community service may be forced. A court may also take away the right for the guilty defendant to own any animals for up to 5 years. 

I don’t think this is enough punishment for animal cruelty. Animals are living things and people think they can treat them however they would like. Imagine being in the animal’s perspective and the person that takes care of you is suddenly hurting you. That’s not something that anyone would desire. Animals and People.

The SPCA, (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) may inspect the guilty defendant’s premises for up to 5 years or more. If these laws are supposed to be helpful and prevent animal cruelty, why is it still happening?

What types of animal cruelty are there?

 Animal cruelty involves gratutiously inflicting harm, injuring, or killing an animal. The cruelty can be intentional, such as shooting, kicking, stabbing, beating, or burning. 

It can also involve neglect, such as depriving an animal or shelter, water, food or keeping animals enclosed in tight spaces. But along with animal cruelty in general come the types of animal cruelty. 

There are many types of animal cruelty but the main ones are passive and active. Passive cruelty involves the lack of action to prevent pain and suffering of the animal. Active cruelty takes place when someone intentionally inflicts harm on an animal. 

Passive cruelty is way more common in the US. More than 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters and about 1 animal is abused every minute around the world. 

Real Life Examples.

There are so many cases in which animal cruelty takes place all around the world. To begin with, in Africa, hunters hunt about 20,000 elephants and kill them every single year for their tusks which are illegally traded and end up as ivory trinkets.

 In many countries including Spain,Mexico,Colombia,Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru as well as in parts of southern France and Portugal all participate in Spanish Bullfights. This contest involves a matador that is trying to harm the bull. Before these fights, the bulls are usually starved, beaten, isolated, and drugged so that they are not able to defend themselves. This has not stopped because people earn money from this. 

How animal cruelty laws are all around the world (Best country/Worst country with laws)

The country with the most strict animal cruelty laws is Switzerland. The Swiss Ordinance on the Protection of Animals of 2008 was enacted and the laws are the strictest laws in the world. 

Belarus makes the top of the list for being the country with the worst animal cruelty laws. Due to its large percentage of consumption of farm animals (mainly chicken). They also lack strict animal cruelty laws. 

Now you may be wondering where the US ranks on that list. Surprisingly, the US is the second worst country in the world with the worst animal cruelty laws. This is very surprising to me because you would think the United States would take animal cruelty more seriously, but the real reason why the US is second worst is because of meat production. Every day we kill tons of cows, chickens, and pigs and that’s what increases animal cruelty. Some of the animals haven’t even gone outside before or seen the sun.

This is very upsetting, but if we stop this there will be a lot of struggles with food. Many fast food places have tried to have more vegetarian foods. Only 6% of the United States are vegan, but the percentage is going up and fast food companies are creating options to cater to this growing population.

Take Action! 

Here are some ways you can do to stop animal cruelty:

• Proper care for your pet

• Donate to rescue groups

• Teach compassion for animals to kids

• Purchase humane animal products

• Be an example of kindness to other pets 

• Adopt, don’t shop!

• Speak out against animal cruelty

Here are some great organizations and shelters you can donate to!

• Woodbridge Animal Group – (WAG)

• ASPCA

• Best Friends Animal Society

• Animal Welfare Institute
• HFGDR