Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cruelty investigated by humane officers is unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education. All animal cruelty is a concern because it is wrong to inflict suffering on any living creature. Intentional cruelty is a particular concern because it is a sign of psychological distress and often indicates that an individual either has already been a victim of violence or might be predisposed to committing acts of violence.

They can suffer from many different types of problems such as:

>They can become very thin
>Get horrible diseases 
>Physical scars, bruises, lumps 
>feeling like they can no longer trust anyone
>injury
>reduced immune response / increased susceptibilty to disease
>digestive problems