El maltrato animal comprende comportamientos que causan dolor innecesario o estrés al animal. Los mismos van desde la negligencia en los cuidados básicos hasta el asesinato malicioso. Existen dos tipos de crueldad animal, el maltrato directo, que consta de la falta intencional en proporcionar los cuidados básicos, la tortura, la mutilación o el asesinato de un animal, y el maltrato indirecto, que es cuando eres testigo o apoyas el maltrato o tortura de algún animal y no haces nada para impedirlo. Este abuso innecesario se ha convertido en un problema social de gran dimensión. La crueldad hacia los animales es uno de los componentes de la tríada psicopática junto a la piromanía y la enuresis.

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Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the intentional infliction by humans of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal, regardless of whether the act is against the law. More narrowly, it can be the causing of harm or suffering for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur; opinions differ about the extent of cruelty associated with a given method of slaughter. Cruelty to animals sometimes encompasses inflicting harm or suffering for personal amusement, as in zoosadism. Laws concerning animal cruelty are designed to prevent needless cruelty. "Billions of animals, mostly frogs are killed every year expressly for educational use. This action leaves the impression that animal lives can be wasted if this benefits humanity." Divergent approaches to such laws occur in different jurisdictions throughout the world. For example, some laws govern methods of killing animals for food, clothing, or other products, and other laws concern the keeping of animals for entertainment, education, research, or pets. Cruelty to animals is not the same thing as disrespect towards animals. In broad terms, there are three conceptual approaches to the issue of cruelty to animals. The animal welfare position holds that there is nothing inherently wrong with using animals for human purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, and research, but that it should be done in a way that minimizes unnecessary pain and suffering, sometimes referred to as "humane" treatment. Utilitarian advocates argue from the position of costs and benefits and vary in their conclusions as to the allowable treatment of animals. Some utilitarians argue for a weaker approach which is closer to the animal welfare position, whereas others argue for a position that is similar to animal rights. Animal rights theorists criticize these positions, arguing that the words "unnecessary" and "humane" are subject to widely differing interpretations, and that animals have basic rights. They say that the only way to ensure protection for animals is to end their status as property and to ensure that they are never used as commodities.

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