Animal Cruelty
Photos were captured by Patrick Brown
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Defining Animal Cruelty
In order to define animal cruelty, the definition of the word "cruelty" must be understood. Cruelty means to take pleasure in causing suffering. Therefore the literal definition of animal cruelty is to take pleasure in causing pain and suffering towards animals. The meaning of pleasure in this context does not always mean a direct feeling of satisfaction and happiness from seeing animals suffer, but it is rather the outcome of the suffering that the animals go through that may bring joy and satisfaction for humans.
Neglect
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Image taken from https://letters2president.org/
Animal-Tested Products
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Animals have been used as a test subject for cosmetics, drugs, and even food. According to Humane Society International, animals such as mice, rats, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, farm animals, dogs, cats, and monkeys are being physically retrained and are being forced to inhaling toxic fumes, consume chemicals, and injections into their bodies. These poor animals are tortured and harmed so that humans can enjoy the final product of safe cosmetics, food, and medicine.
Neglect towards an animal is the inability to properly care for an animal. This can be in a form of not providing enough food and water for a pet, lack of a suitable environment for the animal to live in, and also the lack of proper veterinary care. People often do not realise the hardships that come with owning a pet, which is why most cases of neglect revolve around financial issues, or underestimating the level of responsibility of owning a pet. Linking this back to the definition of animal cruelty, people can take pleasure from neglecting their pets as it is more convenient for people to abandon their dogs on the streets and leave them to die when they are sick, rather than spending money on medical bills.
Image taken from Getty Image
Used For Entertainment
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Seeing animals in circuses, Sea World, and even dancing monkeys on the street may bring joy and happiness for humans, but the process of getting these animals to obey and listen is abusive and harsh. Taming wild animals and forcing the animals to obey humans is not an easy thing to do, which is the reason why humans have used techniques such as using bullhooks, electric pods, whips, and tight collars (PETA). These circus animals that should live freely in the wild, with zero restraints, are being abused in order to put a smile on a human face.
Image captured by Perttu Saksa
So, please think seven times before getting a pet. Search for this animal cruelty free symbol. Last but surely not least, think about the harsh and abusive process before you smile at an elephant on a ball, a tiger jumping through hoops of fire, and killer whales carrying humans on their beaks
