Over the centuries, animals have suffered from human cruelty. Animals in the United States are beaten, neglected, or forced to fight for survival. Humans have inflicted pain on animals for reasons other than self-defense. They were slaughtered for their food and fur for profit. In the majority of cases, they were even mistreated for someone's personal pleasure or out of an impulse of anger. In some cases, animals are found and saved. They get the second chance in life to experience what life should be like compared to what they once had. Many jurisdictions around the world have enacted laws that prohibit animal cruelty, but most of the time they vary by country and use or practice. In Australia, Japan and Italy, animal cruelty is illegal by law and anyone arrested faces extreme penalties. The United States is the only country with a federal law that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transportation, and by dealers, known as the Animal Welfare Acts of 1966, which has been modified over the years. Some states don't seem to do this. However, take animal cruelty seriously too. According to the Humane Society, a good anti-cruelty crime law should protect all animals, apply to first-time offenders, carry heavy fines and prison sentences, without exception. Convicted abusers should be required to obtain counseling at their own expense and should be barred from owning animals as pets. The legal definition of animal cruelty, the penalties imposed, and the consistency and results of penalties within a state should contribute to the pursuit of greater protection not only for animals but also for their human companions. In theory, there are various reasons why people abound. ..... middle of paper ...... it is known that people experience more abuse than less abuse towards animals. They do it because they fear the death of their beloved pet. They suffer for the defense of animals as animals would suffer for humans. Therefore, to some extent, humans suffer as much as animals from abuse. Works Cited Faver, Cathrine A., Strand, Elizabeth B. “Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty: Untangling the Web of Abuse.” EBSCO. EBSCO. 2003. Print. November 19, 2013. McPhedran, Samara. “Animal abuse, domestic violence and child welfare: a review.” » EBSCO. Springer. 2008. Print. November 19, 2013. Kendall-Raynor, Petra. “Animal abuse linked to domestic violence.” EBSCO. MRC. 2007. Print. November 19, 2013. Becker, Fiona., French, Lesley. “Making the Connections: Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty, and Domestic Violence.” » EBSCO. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2004. Print. November 19. 2013.