Executive Summary Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Dogs, cats, horses, and many other types of animals are being neglected and tortured everyday, yet resulting in few and minor consequences for the perpetrators. Animal abuse is prevalent in the United States and has been an ongoing issue since the 1970's, and prior to. Society as a whole has chosen to avoid the facts and arguments about animal cruelty, because to some it is seen as acceptable and typical. It becomes much more frowned upon when people actually see the results of the cruelty, especially in the media. Abuse towards animals is recognized by many in the commercials shown on television, including the Sarah McLaughlin song and the pictures of animals starved and …show more content…
The only voice an animal has for itself comes from its owner, just as a child's voice comes from their parent or guardian. When an owner, or parent, refuses to provide adequate care, including food and water, for their animal or child, justice should be served. Thankfully, many solutions are available for those who seek them out. Multiple organizations can be reached whenever suspicions arise regarding questionable households. Not only does the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, get involved with animal cruelty cases, but also the Police forces help find animals alternate homes when they are being deprived of care. There are many outlets for these animals today, and there are certainly more to come. The more and more people become aware of this subject, more branches of help will be created. Introduction Increased awareness regarding animal cruelty would benefit society, pet owners, and animals themselves. When a problem is identified, it becomes easier to work out solutions. Animal cruelty is an issue on a global scale; animal torture and neglect does not only exist in the United States. Animal cruelty is the “crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in an imminent
Is it ethical for animals to have the same rights as humans? During this paper I will present the views of both sides. I will try my best to give the reader a chance to come to there own unbiased conclusion. I will talk about the key areas of animal ethics. I will present the facts and reasoning behind the arguments over Animal cruelty, testing, hunting, and improper housing. My conclusion will hopefully bring us closer to answering many of the question surrounding “Animal Rights and Ethics”.
Animal Cruelty is a problem that many ignore. People are oblivious to these animals and the negligence their owners show. Animal cruelty is an underlying problem in today’s society, and the only way to counteract these problems, is for this generation to do something about it.
Animals are beaten and abused on a daily basis due to barbaric individuals. Whether it be from harmful intentions or pure negligence most cases go unreported. “Deliberate cruelty may involve beating, shooting, stabbing animals, or setting them on fire. Neglect is not giving a necessary food, water, shelter, or vet care” (Human Society). The lack of attention and care for these animals can often lead to severe, and sometimes irrevocable damage. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, ALDF for short, website tells of one story where neighbors of a farm complained to the local humane society, “that the Colliers were neglecting many animals on their farm, including dogs and horses. When they went to their property to investigate, they discovered dogs and horses in several states of neglect and starvation and seized them out of concern for their immediate health”(ALDF). Sadly, however, it can become much worse for animals. Owners will sometimes purposefully abuse their animals. Unfortunately, occurrences like these are hardly uncommon. One such example, from the RSPCA of England, the Royal
Animal abuse is a quiet epidemic that is spreading throughout the world. The amount of animal abuse is growing and we must do something to stop it. Animal abuse is not putting a choke collar on a dog to keep it from biting an individual; it is not killing an animal for food. Animal abuse is the knowing or intentional "(1) tortures or serious overworks [of] an animal"; the "(2) failing unreasonably to provide necessary food, care, or shelter for an animal in his custody; kills, injures, or administers poison to an animal; [or] (6) causes one animal to fight with another" (Title 3). The majority of states in the U.S. classify abusive treatment toward animals as a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punished by a fine of
“It is quite clear that in abusing animals we abuse our relationship with animals, and that we abuse ourselves. We become less human to the extent that we treat any living beings as things” (R.D. Laing). There is a very evident connection between animal cruelty and cruelty to other humans. In studies conducted between 1983 and 2004, 60% of children who met the criteria for child abuse/neglect had families that were cruel to their pets. In 88%
There are two types of animal cruelty, “cruelty can be manifested in two ways: actively and passively. Active behavior includes ‘acts of commission. Passive behavior ‘includes acts of omission and negligence” (Tanner, 2015). Animals are very smart creatures, no matter their size or looks. Animals should not have to suffer from humans acts. Since animals have a failure of speech, they cannot speak for themselves, which means they are helpless to stop being abusively controlled by humans. Everyday animals in the United States and in other countries are abused and, neglected for no particular reason
There are many animals who deal with abuse everyday, and that is not okay. If an animal is neglected or abused the pet will be taken away and the caretaker will be charged $1,500. Animals are very loyal, such as dogs, dogs are one of the most loyal animals you can own. When abused, they don’t know where they went wrong. They only know that you are mad at them. Animals, such as humans, shouldn’t be abused or neglected. Most animals who are abused or neglected are usually abused unintentionally, but the second most are abused on purpose. The people who abuse animals on purpose sometimes deal with mental illnesses, were abused as children, or have a hard time dealing with stress or anger. Animals are just like humans who have been abused. They are usually skittish and shy. People tend to see animals differently than humans, but they are the same in my eyes. For example, if I locked you in my basement, starved, and beat you, I’d be charged with attempted murder and kidnapping. Pets have the same rights as you to live freely, but people don’t see it. You are able to live on your own and take care of yourself, but they
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty), the first humane organization, founded in 1866, in the Western Hemisphere that works to rescue animals from abuse and pass humane laws, the definition of animal cruelty is “acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals.” This definition is presented in a paper written by Learning To Give, an organization that teaches children to give back, take voluntary citizen action, and engage civilly and presents it through a philanthropist approach. Animal cruelty is an atrocious act that needs to be understood and not undermined. It is easy to push something to the back of our minds and put ourselves in denial when the issue is not right in front of our faces. Many of
In America, we come across serious environmental issues about poverty, domestic abuse, ending world hunger ect. Animal cruelty isn’t one of those topics that isn’t being put out there more. We see it all around like the commercials on tv that tell you to donate money to help the poor stray dogs. People don’t see how much damage we can cause to them, but if we got together we can help stop this madness. In the article, Counting cruelty: Challenges and opportunities in assessing animal abuse and neglect in America it briefly says “Cruelty to animals is a crime.” (Lockwood 87). Laws were made for this problem way back. Our laws help keep society in a proper place with no hysteria.Which means people like us should pay attention more to our surroundings.
In her book, First Friend: A History of Dogs and Humans, Katherine Rogers proficiently covers the history of the relationship that exists between dogs and humans, from the mutual love and companionship that arises to the neglect and cruelty humans exhibit towards dogs. Throughout the book, there are many instances where dogs are abused and in each instance one of two themes are clear: dogs are abused either because humans are indifferent towards dogs or humans see them as an inferior species - and to some extent, possessions. In order to appropriately demonstrate how and why humans abuse dogs, it is necessary to have a clear definition of animal abuse. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals defines it as “acts of violence
Animals are a big part of many people’s lives. They provide companionship; they provide daily assistance to those that have deficits and are having difficulty functioning in their daily life; they provide security and help keep a watchful eye on things, plus so much more. And yet, with all that animals do for us, there are those that are treated with such little regard, care, and cruelty. They are unable to speak for themselves and therefore, they need a voice to speak for them.
This is what it's like to be an abused animal. To be starved, chained, and beaten, unable to call for help or fight back. So many animals live this terrible reality every day. In 2007, 1,880 animal cruelty cases were reported, of which 64.5% involved dogs (Animal 1). Many of them never escape. Even if at some point they are rescued, their experience lives on with them, prolonging their affliction long past their liberation.
How would you feel if you were used to test drugs, held captive in poor living conditions, and abused on a daily basis? That is the life of an innocent, helpless animal that can do nothing about it. Animals deserve the right to live a happy and healthy life, just like humans do. Their rights are taken away in a number of ways including being physically hurt, living in unfit conditions, and being part of medical experiments. Animals are living, breathing creatures who are constantly treated as a piece of property.
In the last decade, the views and forms of animal cruelty have changed. Many people have different views of an animal’s rights or purpose. Some people believe that animals have no rights and are a piece of property to be utilized by humans. To others, animals can still be used by humans, but they have emotions as well. A few people consider that only certain animals with high intelligence like chimpanzees or monkeys, should not be used by man, and they should have all the rights that man has currently (“Animal Rights” , 2009). Domestic violence has a correlation with animal abuse. In a survey, 71% of domestic violence victims also reported that their abuser also targeted pets/animals. The most common animals who are abused are cats, dogs, horses,
Animal cruelty is a rapidly growing nationwide problem. Animals are being hurt and starved everyday. Acts of violence towards animals, animal neglect and even psychological harm are forms of animal cruelty. If you check the webpage of RSPCA Australia (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), you will find a list of actions and conditions that can be qualified as cruelty to animals. The list includes such points as torturing or beating an animal; failing to provide it with food and appropriate treatment in case of disease or injury; killing an animal in an inhumane manner; failing to provide appropriate transportation conditions, and so on. According to statistics, animals who suffer from cruelty most often are dogs (64.5%) and cats (18%). 25% are for other animals, such as horses (The Humane Society). Supposedly, it means domestic pets are the most vulnerable category to suffer from cruelty; also, it might mean cruelty towards animals is a result of pet owners demonstrating their anger, frustration, or stress on the closest and most defenseless creatures. Greyhound racing, puppy farms and animal testing are three major examples of animal cruelty. Thousands of animals are being mistreated in Australia