CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Animal Abuse

Different Forms of Animal Cruelty and Ways a Law Office Can Help

Neglect: A Common Form of Animal Abuse

One of the common forms of animal cruelty is neglect. Neglect happens when the owner ignores the basic needs of the animal to survive. It includes ignoring the animal’s need for food, water, as well as medical care. In some instances, pet owners may harmlessly find themselves in a situation where they lack the finances required to take care of their pets. Instead, the animal remains outside without getting the care and attention it needs. In other cases, pets are intentionally denied nutrition, often leading to severe weight loss.

The abused animal is typically kept in restricted spaces, such as crates or enclosed areas, where fecal matter surrounds the animal. The animal is often under direct sunlight with little or no shade, which further exacerbates the animal’s condition.

Animal Hoarding: An Often Overlooked Form of Animal Abuse

Animal hoarding is a severe form of animal cruelty that involves keeping several pets in a tiny area. The conditions are terrible for the animals, whether inside the home or outside with restricted space. Although some animal hoarders intend to find homes for the animals, they are often overwhelmed and lose control of their ability to care for the animals. They let them reproduce without proper supervision, contributing to overpopulation problems. Some pet owners intentionally hoard numerous animals to breed them and then populate an area in what we would consider overpopulation of pets.

Intentional Abuse: Different Forms of Cruelty to Animals

Intentional animal abuse happens when an individual inflicts physical harm on an animal out of pleasure. It could also occur out of frustration or anger with another person, and instead of seeking help, they take their frustration out on the animal. The harm inflicted on the animal could be severe, leading to broken bones or damage to internal organs. In some instances, the injuries inflicted could be so severe that the animal dies.

Organized abuse is a type of intended abuse that occurs when animals are raised to fight each other in a contest or competition. The most notorious form of this is Dog fighting, where animals are trained to fight each other for the entertainment of the animals’ handlers. This form of animal cruelty is illegal and punishable by law.

Punishments for Animal Cruelty to Prevent Further Abuse

Animal cruelty is a punishable offense in most states like Los Angeles, where offenders can face severe fines or even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the abuse. The pet owner could also be required to attend counseling sessions to explore why the abuse happened and surrender the animal. In some instances, a pet owner may be prohibited from owning pets in the future or for a set period of time.

How a Law Office Can Help with Animal Cruelty Cases

Suppose someone is charged with animal cruelty or abuse. In that case, it is prudent to seek legal assistance immediately from an experienced attorney who can evaluate the facts of the case, examine the evidence presented, and determine the most appropriate defense to prevent a harsh sentence.

An attorney can help present the defendant’s case to reduce the animal abuse charges from a felony to a misdemeanor, reducing the fines owed while ensuring they avoid imprisonment altogether. They can also suggest probation where required and obtain additional help and support for the defendant to ensure that animal abuse does not occur again.

Conclusion

Animal cruelty is a severe issue that continues to plague society today. Neglect, animal hoarding, and intentional abuse are some of the common forms of animal cruelty that occurs globally. If such abuse occurs, there are laws in place in many states to punish those who commit these heinous deeds. If you got accused of animal cruelty offenses, seeking a reputable law firm is one of the legal approaches. Contact the Law Office today for assistance with your animal cruelty case.