Cruelty to animals is a crime that is defined differently in different states and municipalities, but generally means a malicious or criminally negligent act that causes an animal pain, suffering, or death.
For example:
- Georgia law provides that a person is guilty of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor, when he or she causes pain, suffering, or death to an animal. It also provides that a person is guilty of the offense if he or she fails to provide an animal adequate living conditions such as food and water.
- New York law provides that a person is guilty of cruelty to animals, a class A misdemeanor, when he or she overdrives, overloads, tortures, cruelly beats, injures, maims, or acts in a cruel manner.
- Connecticut law provides that a person is guilty of cruelty to animals when he or she overdrives, overworks, tortures, mutilates, or deprives sustenance to an animal. It provides that a person will not be fined more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for more than one year for the first offense.
However, many states provide that a person is guilty of a felony if he or she intentionally injures, kills, or tortures an animal. This is also known as aggravated cruelty to animals.
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]