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As humans, we must use our abilities to make the planet a better place for all the creatures who also call it home. A major part of this requires knowing what is happening, and having the drive to do something about it.

WHAT IS ANIMAL CRUELTY?

Animal cruelty is a lot more than most think. According to the Humane Society, it encompasses a variety of things: from unintentional abuse that can be solved by means of education, to intentional behaviors such as "knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization or veterinary care [and/or] maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating or killing an animal."

WHAT KINDS OF ABUSE AND MISTREATMENT ARE THERE?

According to the ASPCA, animal cruelty consists of dog fighting, puppy mills, animal hoarding, factory farming, horse slaughtering, greyhound racing, cockfighting and simply mistreating a pet or an animal found on the street.

WHY IS IT A CONCERN? HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME?

The obvious answer: it's wrong to inflict pain and suffering upon another living creature. The less obvious answer: there is a well-researched link between animal cruelty and violence against people. Those who abuse animals are very likely to harm people—including their loved ones. The FBI has utilized this connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of serial killers revealed that most had killed or tortured animals as children.

IS IT AGAINST THE LAW?

In 2019, The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT) was passed making it a federal crime to abuse animals and make it a crime to post any photographs, motion picture films, videos, digital recordings or images depicting animal cruelty. The penalty can include a fine, a prison term of up to seven years or both.