Legal Definitions - cruelty to animals

Definition: Cruelty to animals is when someone intentionally or carelessly causes an animal to suffer or die. This is considered a crime in many places, and the laws can vary depending on where you live. For example:

• In Georgia, it's a crime to cause an animal pain, suffering, or death. It's also a crime if you don't give an animal enough food or water.
• In New York, it's a crime to overwork, beat, injure, or torture an animal.
• In Connecticut, it's a crime to overwork, torture, mutilate, or starve an animal.

Some states consider it even worse if someone intentionally hurts or kills an animal. This is called aggravated cruelty to animals, and it's a felony.

Examples of cruelty to animals include beating a dog, leaving a cat without food or water for days, or intentionally running over a squirrel with a car. These actions cause pain and suffering to the animals, and are considered crimes in many places.