Animal cruelty laws vary from nation to nation. However, the one constant is the desire by people all over the globe to actively fight against the inhumane treatment of animals. To love animals of all types is to protect them, yet this has proven to be a larger job than many ever expected. Thanks to organizations around the globe, animal laws have been put in place to protect these defenseless creatures from harm.
One group of creatures that are protected by animal cruelty laws are companion animals. This group includes dogs and cats, hamsters, ferrets and any other animal that is deemed to be a pet. In the states, this is taken care of by state governments and not the federal government. In Europe, there is a union of fifteen countries that focuses on many issues, besides the welfare of animals in their respective countries. This group has certain protection laws for companion animals, such as not causing pain or suffering and not abandoning the animal. Guidelines are also laid out as to who can own a pet in these countries.
Farm animals are also covered by the animal laws that the EU has set forth. When it comes to farm animals, the transport and slaughter of these animals in the European Unionis much more progressive and stricter than in the United States. They rarely have issues, whereas the United States is regularily in the papers for unethical treatment of a variety of animals waiting for slaughter.
Animal cruelty laws exist in the world to protect the animals. The countries of the European Union understand that animals are not property and therefore, their laws are more extensive. The US, on the other hand, is still coping with this issue because animals are viewed as property and not living creatures. The world has changed since the 1800s, and the time for the US laws to catch up is now, not tomorrow. People must take a stand in the fight for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
One of the most gut wrenching things that happens on a daily basis is animal cruelty. For those who love animals, the sight of an abused creature can make them fighting mad. Understanding what constitutes cruelty to animals can be difficult for some to comprehend. That is why many agencies that deal with this inhumane behavior have categorized the abuses into two types, thus making the topic easier to understand and perhaps to further help in the prevention of cruelty to animals.