Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal, or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly. Don’t despair, though—anyone can take steps against cruelty.
People with emotional problems may beat, shoot, or stab animals or set them on fire. Those who abuse animals are very likely to be violent to other people—even their own family—too.
Neglect is not giving an animal the right food, water, shelter or vet care. Because their misery goes on for so long, animals who die of neglect can suffer just as much as animals who are harmed on purpose.
All U.S. states have animal cruelty laws, and 47 states treat some forms of abuse as felonies. Farmers and researchers can do cruel things to animals that other people can't do legally, but all states have some protection for pets like dogs and cats.
Hope for Suffering Animals
While there is life, there is hope. Here's what you can do about cruelty to animals.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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November 20, 2009
NY Cat Cruelty
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting a kitten with a pellet gun and leaving him to die in Troy, N.Y. This marks the third case of cruelty to a cat since last summer in Troy.
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November 19, 2009
Iowa Pig Cruelty
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for intentionally suffocating 3,800 pigs in Hull, Iowa.
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November 19, 2009
Washington Horse Abandonment
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for abandoning five horses on a logging road in rural Pierce County on Nov. 12.
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November 18, 2009
Arizona Cow Cruelty
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting and killing a domestic cow on the Sierra Bonita Ranch in Bonita, Arizona.
Our Victories
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July 2, 2009
The HSUS Celebrates Oregon Legislative Victories for Animals
The HSUS applauds the Oregon state legislature for passing four significant animal protection bills during the recently concluded session.
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June 4, 2009
Conn. Lawmakers Pass Bill to Ban Chimpanzees as Pets and Prevent Internet Hunting
After a tragic incident involving a pet chimpazee, Connecticut lawmakers vote to prohibit residents from keeping great apes as pets.
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February 24, 2009
US House of Representatives Passes Captive Primate Safety Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to stop interstate commerce in primates as pets.