Cruelty means inflicting pain and causing suffering. Animal cruelty is a nationwide problem rapidly growing in today's society. Animals are being beaten and starved everyday and millions of helpless animals die each year because of heartless owners. There are many forms of animal cruelty; some of the most common forms are scientific research, abandonment, and mistreatment. All living things have a right to live on this Earth but, we, very often become, totally, insensitive to their pain, only because animals can’t speak the language of humans, they don’t have a voice. Animal cruelty has always been a hot topic for animal lovers all over the world. There are many organizations to try and end the cruelty of these innocent animals. It’s sad to think an individual would think treating an animal aggressively is an acceptable behavior. If a human is accused of animal abuse, then there should be serious consequences due to their wrongdoing. Animals need to be respected in the same manner as humans. There are many ways that could be considered animal abuse. A human physically harming the helpless animal, puppy mills, hoarding animals, cruel animal factories and many more are all considered animal cruelty. THE ONLY WAY TO SEE THE CHANGE AND HELP IS FOR THE LAW TO CHANGE AND MAKE ANIMAL CRUELTY A CRIMINAL OFFENCE WITH HARSHER PUNISHMENTS!!!!!!!