What legal rights do animals have?

These offenses are misdemeanors, (unless the offender has previously been convicted two times before for the same offense, then it's a felony).

I believe that cruelty and neglect of domestic animals are malum in se crimes. We have a responsibility to treat the other creatures with whom we share this planet with decency.

In addition, recent studies have found a critical link between animal abuse and human violence. Increased penalties for acts of violent animal cruelty could very well reduce violence against people by catching the offenders early.

I welcome your opinions on this subject, which has proven to be highly charged in some circles.

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. *A recognized defense to tripping a horse is "that the actor tripped the horse for the purpose of identifying the ownership of the horse or giving veterinary care to the horse." Uh... okay...

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. NOTE: The book A Killing in White Bear Lake looks at the subject of child abuse in detail.