What is Animal Cruelty?

The phrase “animal cruelty” encompasses a variety of behaviours harmful to animals, ranging from neglect to malicious torture and killing. Most cases investigated by Animal Protection Officers involve unintentional neglect; these can often be resolved through education of the animal owner or caretaker. Intentional cruelty can be either wilful or reckless neglect (i.e., the deliberate withholding of food, water, shelter, socialization or care) or malicious cruelty (the torture, mutilation, maiming or killing of an animal).

Why is animal cruelty important?

Deliberate cruelty to animals is a form of violence. Besides being harmful to a living creature capable of suffering and feeling pain, intentional animal cruelty can be one of the earliest and most dramatic indicators that an individual is developing a pattern of seeking power and control by inflicting suffering on others.