The answer is partly an enumeration of facts.
It is also a matter of opinion whether you'd call something animal cruelty.
In general and totally undisputed the 5 freedoms listed to right apply.
Thus far it is easy. The practical difficulty
is defining animal
welfare into daily practices.
Is keeping a bird in a cage an example of
abuse or a form of holding hostage? What
about angling?
What animals can be held as pets?
For those who want to see how these rightsare
been violated, click here to see some images.
Animals are supposed to be:
free from thirst, hunger and from the
incorrect diet;
free from discomfort (in cramped conditions,
or where it is too wet, too dry, too
warm, or too cold);
free from pain, injury and disease;
(including the results of bad breeding
and amputations);
free from fear and distress (being
scared of being left alone for too long
and too often);
free to express normal behaviour.
It is even harder to answer
the question whether or not there are certain
products or practices which underlie animal
suffering. What symptoms do they show?
Do you get involved in animal abuse when
you buy products that have been tested
on animals, or when you eat
meat? When I visit a children's farm or a zoo?
You can find examples to these questions
via these links. The local RSPCA is kept
busy enough with the worst cases of animal
abuse. When you come across a clear case
of abuse then do contact them.
Important in the prevention
of animal abuse is awareness. People have
to recognize the tendencies within others
and themselves that inevitably lead to
the suffering of animals.
There are many
different causes that can
often be tracked down to less
noble motives,
such as vanity, loneliness, neglect, sadism.
Neutral terms are competitions (contests
and shows with animals), the need for company
and entertainment, sports and games.
Whenever the consumer realizes in how
far the consequences of their daily life
works on the situation of animals, many
of them would be struck by the facts. This
is partly the reasonwhy not many would
try to find out what the consequences are
of their actions for animals. They would,
almost inevitably, come in conflict with
their conscience.
Still, we can also state a positive conclusion; how we can best
deal with animals is knowing what we shouldn't
do. This doesn't have to cost us
any energy or extra effort and can be really
satisfying.
It is even harder to answer
the question whether or not there are certain
products or practices which underlie animal
suffering. What symptoms do they show?