The subject of animal cruelty is a hot topic in today’s society. But the act itself remains rampant in today’s society. Millions of creatures all over the world experience some form of abuse or neglect in a year, with many cases going unreported. It’s unfathomable to think that up until November 2019, cruelty to animals wasn’t a criminal offense at the federal level. States already had laws in place that criminalized this act, but there were several loopholes in them. The passing of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was the first animal cruelty law to pass at the national level.
What is Animal Cruelty?
This term describes a situation where a human or group maliciously harms a creature or neglects its needs. Many studies point to the fact that such acts have a strong connection with domestic abuse. An individual or an organized group can be responsible for cruelty to an animal. This act isn’t restricted to particular regions, as it’s common to rural and urban areas.
Causes of Animal Cruelty
Canines, felines, livestock, and horses are often the common victims of animal cruelty. Here are some reasons why this heinous practice still occurs all over the world.
Abuse or Neglect by Owners
Domestic violence also tends to be common with incidents of animal cruelty. People can harm their pets due to past traumatic experiences.
Did you know that people who suffer from hoarding disorder are susceptible to neglecting their pets? Yes, these individuals tend to take on more dogs, cats, or other creatures than they can care for at a time. People with criminal minds also tend to be cruel to their pets.
Organized Cruelty
Another cause of animal cruelty is illegal betting. Here, organized groups pit these creatures against each other in dogfights, cockfights, and more.
Poor Welfare and Cruelty Laws
The farm industry is a common site for violence against livestock. The cruelty and welfare state laws that ought to protect these creatures are weak. Many farmers often operate with little to no empathy for their livestock’s pain, with only the severe cases coming to light.
Steps to Stop Animal Cruelty
Here are steps that can help stop the rampant cruelty to animals happening all over the world.
Creating Awareness
Educating people about the dangers and consequences of violence against animals is a crucial part of stopping it. Help others understand the role they can play in putting an end to the torment of these creatures. There is much research on animal abuse that can help expose its dangers and the appropriate actions to stop cruelty to these creatures. They have the right to live without fear or pain, and we have to ensure others observe these rights.
You can also educate your children about the importance of observing animal rights. Teach them to show kindness to these creatures by doing so yourself. Kids emulate their parents, and you’re a perfect model to lead them on the path of animal compassion. Teach them the right way to treat animals, with compassion and care.
Take Responsibility
As a pet owner, you must perform your duties to the teeth. Giving your four or two-legged friend the best life goes beyond providing them with their basic needs. Consider educating yourself on ways to enhance their well-being. Consider regular visits to the vet, evening walks, acts of compassion and affection, and more.
Helping the Cause
You can show others what being compassionate to animals looks like and the joy that comes along with it. Consider volunteering at a shelter, making donations, or catering to strays or abandoned pets. Numerous shelters look to help out our canine, feline, and avian friends. But low budgets and lack of human resources threaten to derail them from achieving their goals. You can find one around your neighborhood and help out with your time or finances.
If you know someone who isn’t capable or overwhelmed with caring for their pet, you can always help out. Sometimes the reasons for abandonment might be due to financial constraints rather than a lack of affection. An inability to provide the appropriate psychological resources can also play a role in neglect. So, it’s best to always help out when you can.
Contact the Authorities
It’s wrong to turn a blind eye to instances of animal abuse or neglect. If you witness such scenarios, you should intervene and report to the appropriate authorities. Consider taking the appropriate action to stop such maltreatment but in a sensible way. You shouldn’t put yourself in harmful situations, rather report to the authorities if the perpetrators are dangerous.
Remember, there’s a strong link between domestic abuse and animal cruelty. So, there’s a chance that reporting such incidents could also be saving a human from harm.
Stricter Cruelty and Welfare Laws
The PACT Act was a step in the right direction. More governments and individuals need to demand stricter laws and penalties against animal cruelty. Such regulations will help deter people from engaging in such acts, reducing the number of cases. A simple action you can do to stop acts of violence against animals is to advocate for candidates cracking down on it.
Final Thoughts
Numerous studies have shown that animals are just as capable of expressing emotions as humans. They hurt when you hurt them, with many aggressive pets being linked to abusive owners. Public awareness of animal cruelty, its dangers, and its impact is the best way to curb the practice. More people will be compassionate and intervene when their witness pet abuse or neglect with proper enlightenment.
