Animal Cruelty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Animal Cruelty - Essay Example While the focus of this paper is animal cruelty in the United States, it is important to note that it is a worldwide issue. Each form of animal cruelty simply contributes to the larger problem, the existence of the issue itself. Although animals are not cognizant like humans, their mistreatment is just as serious an issue which needs to be given the proper attention so that it can be stopped. Sadly, the history of animal cruelty dates very far back. Animal fighting, for example, has dated been dated back to the 43 A.D., when Britain was at war with the Romans. â€Å"The British, though they lost the war, delighted in the tenacity and endurance of their dogs, and began exporting them for use in pit fights against larger animals like wild boar and bulls†¦ At this point, dog-on-dog combat became the cheaper, legal alternative and the fighting dogs, as well as the taste for the brutal blood sport was exported to other countries including the United States (Villavicencio 2007),† (Animal Cruelty). Another form of animal cruelty, factory farming, became prevalent in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution left many family owned farms competing with large corporations to sell product. â€Å"As factory farms became the norm, so, unfortunately did the systematic and prolonged abuse of animals raised for human consumption,† (Animal Cruelty). ... It is a well known fact that a variety of products are tested on animals. Usually, when you think of animal testing, you think of scientists in lab coats poking and prodding at mice. However, mice aren’t the only animals subject to animal testing. Each year, hundreds of thousands of rodents, cats, dogs, birds, and primates are put through painful treatments in inhumane conditions to satisfy the curiosity of scientist who could otherwise their hypotheses. These treatments include but are not limited to being poisoned, blinded, forced to inhale toxic fumes, force-fed pesticides, and having corrosive chemicals rubbed into their eyes. The Animal Cruelty Act, passed in 1966, was created to combat complaints about the treatment of animals during scientific testing. As the Department of Agriculture website points out, â€Å"It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers,† (Animal Welfar e Act). In the years since 1966, it has become clear that this act is not enough. â€Å"More than 100 million animals every year suffer and die in cruel chemical, drug, food and cosmetic tests, biology lessons, medical training exercises, and curiosity-driven medical experiments. Exact numbers aren't available because mice, rats, birds and cold-blooded animals—who make up more than 95 percent of animals used in experiments—are not covered by even the minimal protections of the Animal Welfare Act and therefore go uncounted,† (Animals Used for Experimentation). Although there are many organizations fighting against animal testing, it has yet to be stopped. Without ceasing to test on animals, it is impossible to end animal cruelty. Another factor contributing to the overall