Throughout the centuries, animals have suffered cruelty at the hands of humans. In the United States, animals are beaten, neglected or forced to fight for survival. Animals have suffered pain from humans for reasons other than self-defense. They were slaughtered for their food and fur for personal gain. In most cases they were also abused for someone's personal enjoyment or out of anger-filled impulses. In some cases the animals are found and saved. They are given a 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 prohibiting cruelty to animals, but most of the time they vary by country and custom or practice. In Australia, Japan and Italy, cruelty to animals is illegal by law and anyone caught will face extreme punishment. The United States is the only country to have a federal law regulating the treatment of animals in research, shows, transportation, and by traders, known as the Animal Welfare Acts of 1966, which has been amended over the years . Some states don't seem to do this however take animal cruelty seriously. According to the Humane Society, a good anti-cruelty law should protect all animals, apply to first-time offenders, and provide for large fines and prison time, with no exceptions. Convicted abusers should be required to receive counseling at their own expense and abusers should be banned from owning animals as pets. The legal definition of animal cruelty, the penalties imposed, and the consistency and outcomes of punishments within a state should help seek greater protection not only for animals but also for human companions. In theory, there are a number of reasons why people ab. .....middle of paper......it is known that our people suffer abuse more often than not towards animals. They do this because they fear the death of their beloved pet. They suffer in defense of animals as the animal would suffer for man. 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, Family Violence, and Child Welfare: A Review.” EBSCO. Springer. 2008. Print. November 19, 2013.Kendall-Raynor, Petra. “Animal abuse linked to domestic violence.” EBSCO. RCN. 2007. Print. November 19, 2013.Becker, Fiona., French, Lesley. “Making Connections: Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty, and Domestic Violence.” EBSCO. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2004. Print. November 19th. 2013.