For a long time, animals have had to go through many acts of animal cruelty or mistreatment by the human species, which should be punished like any other crime. But first, it is necessary to define and be clear about the Types of Animal Abuse that exist. This will be known below.
What is defined as animal abuse?
So that you can know what is animal abuse It may be a somewhat difficult path, this is because there are many ways in which people can mistreat an animal, either by providing pain, conditions that are not favorable or undignified. It is also more complicated when the same laws of government entities do not have the same definitions of animal abuse that people with common sense and awareness on the subject may have.
When referring to the awareness or common sense about animal abuse, this act can be defined as any of the actions that are done to animals, which cause them pain, psychological or physical damage, suffering and even humiliation. This definition of mistreatment applies both to wild animals and Wild animals as for the Domestic animals.
Despite having the above definition, it is very common for there to be animals that are exploited by industrialization and are put aside, since many do not take it as animal abuse.
By nature, there are many animals that are ideal for human consumption, but we must begin to raise awareness about the mistreatment that these animals can suffer at the time of exploitation. Because, one thing is that they are a food for the human being and another is that they must go through unnecessary suffering due to exploitation.
Instead, when referring to the animal abuse from the legal point of view, a series of sanctions can be seen that vary according to the area in which the situation of abuse takes place. The countries in which you can most appreciate these laws in which the definition of animal abuse are the following:
In Spain
In the Spanish area there is still no strong national law on animal abuse, but when you read the civil code of this country you can see that something that is considered animal abuse can be a crime in the articles belonging to 337 and 337 bis.
In these articles, those people who injure, affect the health or sexually exploit any animal are taken as criminals for animal abuse, either; domestic or that is tame, an animal that lives permanently or temporarily with human beings and finally those that do not live in wild states. This is referenced throughout section 337.
When article 337 bis is read, it works as a complement to article 337, pointing out that abandoning them on public roads is also considered animal abuse.
The negative side of these laws that are handled in Spain is that they are only found focused on animals considered domestic, not all animals. This leaves the other animals without protection, which clearly suffer from the mistreatment provided by human beings.
In Argentina
Argentina is one of the first countries on the list of those with many animal protection laws, being considered a leading country on the issue of animal rights protection, despite being one of those with more culture in the use of animal matter.
Since the year 1891 in which the first national law was published in which all people who mistreated animals had to be sentenced. These sentences ranged from monetary sanctions to imprisonment depending on the mistreatment exercised.
Then, in 1954, the Argentine National Congress approved Law 14.346, which has managed to remain standing until today. Said Law has the following lines:
"Repressed with imprisonment from fifteen days to one year, whoever inflicts ill-treatment or makes a victim of acts of cruelty to animals"
In Law 14.346 there is also the prohibition of the sacrifice of cats and dogs, this in the entire territory of Buenos Aires. In addition to everything stated above, the Law also has a wealth of details on what is defined as animal abuse. This as follows:
An animal abuser is considered to be an individual who does any of the following acts (According to Law 14.346):
- Do not give food of the necessary quantity and quality to those animals that are domestic or in captivity.
- Make use of objects that give the animal pain, negative sensations or punishments, which is in order for the animal to do some task or work.
- Forcing the animal to work for many continuous hours, without taking into account the hours of rest and without taking into account the weather conditions at the time of work.
- Forcing the animal to work, even if it does not have the necessary physical or health conditions to be able to do it optimally.
- Perform some stimulation with drugs or some chemical substances. In this case, those treatments that are prescribed by a legal veterinarian are not included.
- Make use of animals to carry or pull loads that are higher than their physical capabilities.
In the same Law 14.346, article 3 can be seen in which the legal definitions of what animal cruelty is can be seen. These, according to the Law, are:
- Make mutilations in any part of the animal's body. In cases that are therapeutic treatments, this law is excepted, as well as in cases that are out of mercy.
- Carrying out any type of surgical procedure without applying anesthesia beforehand or without the person being properly trained to carry out the procedure.
- Leaving animals that have been useful for an experiment or science study abandoned to their own fate.
- Cause the death of an animal that is in a state of gestation or the offspring. In this case, those legalized industries dedicated to exploiting offspring are unfortunately excepted.
- Being the cause of the suffering of an animal unnecessarily. This can include torture, crushing or exerting suffering on any animal.
- Privately or publicly organize an animal fight. This includes bullfights, dog fights, among other events involving animals.
In Mexico
In 2013, the new Law for the Mexico City area was published, which deals with animal abuse. It shows the monetary sanctions that are given as a result of abuse, which can reach up to 400 minimum wages or prison sentences that extend up to 4 years.
The sentences mentioned go to those people who cruelly attack animals, whether domestic or wild. Those people who injure or cause pain to animals, without putting their lives at risk, can be sentenced to up to two years in prison.
When reading the Penal Code of Mexico, it is also specified that those animals that have suffered abuse must be transferred to protective agencies, shelters or private homes so that they remain under the power and care of trained people. They will stay in these places to receive the necessary care that will allow them to regain optimal health.
Then, in 2014, the reform of the General Law of Wildlife was made. One of the main changes that were made to continue complementing the fight against mistreatment is the current prohibition of the use of any animal to perform circus shows.
The application of such severe sanctions or penalties in the Mexican area is due to the high number of animals that have suffered animal abuse in this country. It is a small response, since it is positioned among one of the first countries that presents the most complaints and cases of animal abuse, exploitation and violence.
In colombia
In 2016, Law No. 1774 began to be applied in Colombia, detailing all the consequences of animal abuse at the legal level. This law was the one that was made to renew those that were already in Law 84/1989 within the Colombian Civil Code.
This animal abuse law is responsible for defending threatened animals, domestic, wild or exotic vertebrates from any type of act of violence, cruelty or animal abuse by those who make them go through. Depending on the crime committed by the accused, he can suffer from a sentence of 12 to 36 months.
Everything that the law dictates shows all that responsibility that guardians have at the time of adopting an animal. One of the main ones shown is that animals be given a decent and healthy quality of life. The next thing you should provide the animal is a safe place where it does not suffer from any type of stress or constant fear.
One of the things that it expresses, which are of greater importance, are the obligations that the State has to be able to provide the animal with well-being, which is done by complying with the laws and promoting public policies, which also help consistent and responsible ownership of the animal.
These changes or renewals that were made in the laws are very good evidence of the progress that has been made with respect to compliance with animal rights. In this case, animals are considered beings with feelings and not as real estate or objects.
Types of Animal Abuse
As has been seen in some of the laws that are shown in some countries, there are many things that can be taken as animal abuse. The most common are the following:
- The main thing that is taken as one of the Types of Animal Abuse is the physical violence, which is one of the most common and notorious.
- when the animal not given good nutrition or when you lack hygiene is also under a type of animal abuse. Like when you don't have a condition healthy all around in which the animal develops.
- mutilations, blows, neglect of the basic needs of the animal, psychological damage, humiliation, cruelty and violence that endanger the cognitive, physical or emotional health of animals.
There are other types of animal abuse that are approved by some groups of people or that are hidden among the activities that many consider "normal", either because of their traditions or cultures. To know what these types of animal abuse are, they are explained below:
- animal circuses: For a long time it has been thought that animals are happy to see them in the circus, but the truth is that they work in an excessive way from rehearsals to the numerous presentations they make to entertain people. On very few occasions have they been given a good quality of life that allows them to develop well.
- These animals are taken from their natural environment and forced to make a forced adaptation to the circus environment, which for them is completely foreign.
- In the area of Spain. It has been fortunate that different organizations have been formed that are in charge of prohibiting any type of circus activity with animals in Spanish territories.
- Bullfighting: This is a very badly named “Recreational Activity” that has been running for many years. In this activity the bull suffers a high level of suffering, pain and humiliation.
- Within similar activities can be found the fights and races of dogs, roosters and many other animals that submit to these unnecessary fights.
- Among these activities, the worst considered is bullfighting, especially because it is something that is legalized and admired by many people with the excuse of traditions.
- Exploitation of animals for the food industry: when talking about this type of animal abuse it becomes a great debate, because by nature there are many animals that have served as food for human beings since time immemorial, these animals are pigs, cows, lambs, sheep, chickens, among other animals that are found in the balanced diet of humans.
- But, despite being something natural, human beings have taken advantage of these animals to over-exploit them, mistreat them and not provide them with a good quality of life. Which is a complete abuse, since they can serve as food without the need to make them suffer ordeals throughout their lives being locked up, humiliated and being injured.
- The humanization of animals: when this topic is discussed, reference is made to when an animal is not allowed to have behaviors worthy of its species, which means that it does not enjoy its own natural features. This is seen a lot in people who own exotic pets and it is still an "Approved" behavior by society and is not taken as animal abuse, when it is.
- blood traction: This type of animal abuse is seen a lot in donkeys and horses, which suffer a lot of exploitation when they pull very heavy things and serve as a means of transportation.
- This overexertion is the cause of a lot of pain in these animals and it is an activity that is prohibited in many countries, mainly in urban centers. In many rural places, these types of animal abuse are still commonly carried out.
- hunting of animals: Today there are many countries where sport hunting is managed, but only in some areas. But despite that, it is still an activity of animal abuse allowed by the legislation that is handled in each of the territories. Some of these countries are Chile, Argentina and Spain.
- This activity must be prohibited because it has resulted in many of the species found in the hunting areas being in danger of extinction. It is one of the forms of animal abuse that must be eliminated worldwide.
- Purchase-Sale of animals: Animals are not objects that can be bought or placed in a display case. The fact that people sell and buy animals as if they were trade objects is very normalized. This happens a lot with Dog breeds, since with the excuse that they have a pedigree or are simply purebred, they want to sell them for a lot of money.
- In addition, there are many people who support this type of thing simply because of breeds, having the opportunity to adopt any dog or in the case of exotic animals, they prefer to buy them than keep them in their natural habitats.
- Use of females for hatcheries: hand in hand with the previous type of animal abuse, goes this issue of the exploitation of females to produce offspring, as if they were a factory. This is a practice that occurs in order to sell the offspring or use them for the food industry.
- In the case of exploitation for the food industry, this type of mistreatment is seen a lot in the cows, which are exploited to give birth to calves, which are often sold to be fed with tender meat.
- In the case of exploitation for buying and selling, you see a lot of female dogs, who are exploited to have offspring that will be separated from them and sold. They make them give birth all their lives and suffer a lot for it. This is seen a lot in the Races of Small dogs.
Other forms of animal abuse
When talking about the forms of animal abuse, one can mainly think of those mentioned above, but there are also the following:
- Bullying the rooster: This type of mistreatment begins when the rooster is born, they prepare for the fights, they make them face each other and hurt each other from a young age. They make unnecessary cuts on their legs and make them aggressive. It is a practice that should be banned worldwide as it is an inhumane and very cruel "sport".
- Shark fins: This type of animal abuse is about hunting sharks, which are mostly babies. When they manage to catch them, people mutilate their fins in a cruel way and when they get the fins they throw them back into the water, where they can no longer swim due to the lack of fins, since they would be left as a person who cannot walk for no reason. have legs
- This is done because they are sold for up to 100 dollars per kilo, mainly in the Asian market because it is where shark fin is consumed the most.
- Shark hunting is done in the Nicaraguan area and it is a practice that is prohibited in the area, but it is still carried out because they pay a lot of money for shark fins and people continue to do this cruelty for money, causing the sharks to sink to the bottom of the sea and bleed to death.
- Garrobo Turtles: In this case, people mistreat the turtles from the moment they want to take them out of their habitat, because they burn their homes to get them out. When they come out, they capture them and sew their mouths shut with a needle and thread so they don't bite anyone. When closing their mouths, it is necessary to drill holes in the bone that forms their jaw.
- Then, they take the tendons of their legs to tie them so that they cannot move and hang them in bunches. There they spend many days going hungry and thirsty, until they die.
- Cattle transport: When cows or bulls are transported from one place to another, it is considered animal abuse when many of them enter the same truck. When there are too many of them inside the same truck, they can't move and it's hard for them to breathe, plus they hit each other.
- hanging ducks: Ducks are hung from their necks on arches until they die. It's taken as duck racing, but they don't run, they just must.
Why does animal abuse occur?
As mentioned above, defining animal abuse can be tricky. But, it is also difficult to determine what are the causes of animal abuse. One of the main causes is that, in many events, parties or «Sports» many of the types of animal abuse mentioned above can be taken normally.
Many of the activities mentioned are due to the erroneous traditions that have been fostered throughout the history of the human being, which are the main causes of these abuses of animals and for this reason it is necessary to make known even more the information on animal abuse to the new generations so that cruel activities with animals are no longer seen as normal.
One of the things that can be taken as a lack of awareness is the great lack of information about animal abuse that exists throughout the world. In addition, it is not something that is taught to children in their schools, as also happens with the subject of Waste recycling. None of the topics mentioned, which are extremely important to maintain the ecosystem, are treated as basic education.
It must be taken into account that a person who is an animal abuser meets a common profile among all the people who commit these cruelties. This can develop in people for many reasons. One of the causes that can be considered for a person to be an animal abuser is that they have gone through traumas, psychological pathologies or any negative experience that leads them to commit cruelty against animals.
On many occasions there are people who do this simply because they feel like doing it, because unfortunately we live in a world where there is a lot of violence and many people with little conscience, humanity or simply common sense.
Another causes and consequences of animal abuse It is when there is no lack of planning at the time of having an animal, since this results in the abandonment or poor care of them. It has also caused a lot of mistreatment those fashions that are created to adopt wild animals, such as: foxes and monkeys.
These adoption practices are very negative because they make animals stop living in their natural habitat in an unnecessary and forced way, just at the whim of people. This affects the animals because they do not have an ideal development and begin to have health or behavioral problems.
How can animal abuse be prevented?
When talking about ways to avoid animal abuse, it is necessary that all people join the fight against it. Since it is something that occurs throughout the world and if there are still people who support these behaviors, activities of animal abuse will continue to be developed. The things with which you can start the fight against animal abuse are the following:
- Have a lot of awareness and responsibility at the time a pet is adopted. Before making any adoption, it is necessary to evaluate that there is enough time and space to provide care for the animal. It is also necessary to know that you have sufficient financial solvency to give you a good quality of life.
- When giving a pet as a gift, you must also have these same points to evaluate.
- Another way to contribute to the fight against animal abuse is by adopting responsibly, this to prevent the market for buying and selling animals from continuing.
- Provide collaboration in the range of animal shelters or protectors is a very important step against animal abuse. For this you can do volunteer work, donations and encourage adoption and all animal rights among social circles.
- Another thing that can not be missing to defend the rights of animals is the complaints against the mistreatment of animals, this because it is a way in which the relevant authorities can give the corresponding sentences to criminals for animal abuse.
- When you witness a person who has actions of animal abuse, it is necessary to report it, because if it is not done that way, one ends up being an accomplice of that abuse.
How to report animal abuse?
When you witness animal abuse, it is necessary to assist the relevant authorities that are close to the area where the abuse is taking place. Being in the corresponding entity, it is necessary to leave with evidence of the abuse that is going to be reported, these can be videos, photos or even testimonials from people who have also witnessed the situation of animal abuse.
At the time the complaint is made, it is also necessary that other important data be delivered, such as the home address where the act of animal abuse is being carried out. In case the home address is not available, it is necessary that the complaint is not stopped, this is because the home address can be found later.
In many of the countries where the fight against animal abuse is strongly presented, the relevant entities provide people with various contact numbers that are ideal for making complaints of animal abuse, all by telephone.
