Answer to Question #110100 in Zoology for Takiemudau

Question

Explain the difference between animal abuse and animal cruelty.

Answer 1

Within the animal protection movement, the term "animal abuse" is used to describe any use or treatment of animals that seems unnecessarily cruel, regardless of whether the act is against the law. The term "animal cruelty" is sometimes used interchangeably with "animal abuse," but "animal cruelty" is also a legal term that describes acts of animal abuse that are against the law. The state laws that protect animals from abuse are referred to as "animal cruelty statutes."