What Is Animal Abuse - Assignment Example

What Counts as Animal Abuse? – Literature Review Introduction Animal abuse refers to acts against animals which harm them or make them suffer. Animal abuse does not only refer to violent acts against animals, it also includes acts of neglect that lead to the suffering of animals (Burghardt, 2009, p. 449). This is a highly debated issue with numerous scholars and authors paying attention to it. In the course of addressing this issue, many of the scholars and authors have expressed different but non-contrasting opinions on what counts as animal abuse. This paper reviews works of various scholars and authors who have discussed or deeply examined the issue of animal abuse. The aim of doing this is to understand their arguments of what counts as animal abuse. The works of various authors who address the topic of concern is examined, summarised and reviewed in this paper. Specifically, this paper examines the works of Glasgow (2008, p. 181), Ballingall (2012, p. 42), White (2009, p. 852), Wolfson and Sullivan (2004, p. 208), Burghardt, (2009, p. 449), Beirne (2009, p. 97), Ascione (2010, p. 201), Munro (2006, p. 196), Gullone and Robertson (2008, p. 371), Beirne (2011, p. 349) Anthony (2009, p. 257) and Lee (2011, p. 62). These authors address the issue of animal abuse from different approaches; social, economic, legal and ethical perspectives. Though they arrive at differing conclusions, their arguments do not disagree. Rather, they all analyse the core issue of animal abuse. One significant relationship amongst them is that they all explain what contributes to animal abuse, in one way or another. Literature Review As noted, there is vast literature focusing on rules relating to animal abuse. Glasgow (2008, p. 181) examines the modern animal protection movement in Australia and explores its effectiveness in protecting animal rights. Among other issues, Glasgow (2008, p. 203) notes that the use of battery cages for hens, which are common in Australia, amounts to animal abuse. According to him, approximately 80% of 13 million hens used for egg production in this country are locked in battery cages for the duration of their lives, hence denying them freedom of movement. Close to this argument, Ballingall (2012, p. 42) argues that crating and chaining of dogs amounts to cruel treatment. White (2009, p. 852) explores the relationship between human beings and animals and the social, economic and legal aspect that guide such relationships, particularly in Australia. White (2009, p. 865) points out that most Australians treat companion animals such as dogs and cats well. However, owners dispose them off as they feel fit, hence disregarding the emotions of such animals. In addition, White (2009, p. 869) notes that a significant number of companion animals in Australia are relinquished to ‘’Animal Shelter’’, a government body that deals with disregarded animals, where they are ultimately killed. Therefore, White (2009, p. 876) argues that the sale and relinquishing of animals, especially companion animals and the killings, are unethical and contribute to animal abuse. Wolfson and Sullivan (2004, p. 208) note that one of the most cruel treatments of animals is inhumane slaughter. The writers argue that the livestock slaughtering process should be carried out through humane methods, which prevent pain and suffering. Burghardt, (2009, p. 449) also mentions that human beings treat animals with cruelty through inflicting pain on them during the slaughtering process. Anthony (2009, p. 257) expands on this issue and emphasises that animals should live a decent life and that the slaughtering process should be painless. Beirne (2009, p. 97) on the other hand posits that sexual abuse is one of the most cruel treatment of animals. According to Beirne (2009, p. 97) the sexual abuse acts on animals include human males who engage in sexual intercourse with cows, sheep and goals as well as human females who engage in sexual intercourse with dogs and horses. This amounts to animal abuse since the animals are forced to engage in such activities without their consent. Ascione (2010, p. 201) supports this argument and suggests that organisations for animal protection, law and veterinary medicine should work together to address this unethical act. Munro (2006, p. 196) addresses the same issue of sexual abuse of animals but gives particular focus on how animals suffer during sexual intercourse with human beings. Munro (2006, p. 196) notes that sexual relations with animals always involve coercion as animals are unable to communicate their consent. Such acts cause pain and sometimes lead to deaths of animals. Gullone and Robertson (2008, p. 371) examine human practices which contribute to animal abuse. They note that sexual relations, caging, beating and inhumane slaughtering constitute to animal abuse. Beirne (2011, p. 349) give the same list of animal abuse acts and add that improper feeding of animals contributes to their abuse. Finally, Lee (2011, p. 62) add to the same list and point out that the use of animals for experiment purposes contributes to their abuse. According to Lee (2011, p. 62), most of the experiments conducted using animals leave them biologically or physically impaired and in various cases, they are killed in the process. Glasgow (2008, p. 208) provides a strong explanation of what counts as animal abuse. In his argument, he clearly notes that one of the cruel treatments of animals is denial of freedom. Though Glasgow focuses more on legal issues related to animal abuse, he provides one of the best explanations of what counts as animal abuse. He provides appropriate and reliable evidence to support his argument. Ballingall (2012, p. 42) leans more on analysing recent debate relating to animal abuse but successfully manages to arrive at a personal and logical conclusion. The source uses real and recent examples to support the argument, which makes it to be reliable. White (2009, p. 852) also provides a precise explanation of what constitutes animal abuse. The writers asserts that the sale and transfer of companion animals from one person to another affects these animals emotionally. Without doubt, relinquishing such animals to “Animal Shelter” where they are killed is worse. Therefore, this source adequately helps to answer the question of focus. However, the author tends to focus more on the loopholes that exist in animal statutes. In spite of this, this source provides a useful explanation of what constitutes animal abuse. Inhumane slaughtering of animals also accounts as animal abuse, as Wolfson and Sullivan (2004, p. 208) explain. Wolfson and Sullivan (2004, p. 208) support this argument by describing how animals, particularly chicken are slaughtered in the United States. They note that though there is a statute in United States regulating how animals are slaughtered, no fines or penalties are prescribed for violation of the statute. This argument is logically structured and clearly brought out in the source, though the authors tend to focus more on the loopholes that exist in animal statutes. Generally, Wolfson and Sullivan (2004, p. 208) provide a strong argument supported by appropriate evidence. Similar to Wolfson and Sullivan, Burghardt (2009, p. 449) argues that the pain and suffering inflicted on animals during slaughter amounts to cruel treatment or animal abuse. However, in his explanation, Burghardt does not elaborate on this point. Further, Burghardt does not support his arguments using appropriate evidence. Irrespective of this, this source is still highly informative in regard to the issue of animal abuse. Anthony (2009, p. 257), who also holds the same opinion, focuses primarily on analysing works of other authors. Anthony presents different themes but does not deviate from the issue of animal abuse. Beirne (2009, p. 97) also contributes immensely to the issue of animal abuse by mentioning that one of the most cruel treatments of animals is sexual abuse. Clearly, this is a common act and undoubtedly, it amounts to abuse since animals are forced to engage in the act without their consent. Beirne supports this issue using real incidences that have occurred in the past. The author explores numerous real cases where animals have injured their sexual organs during such acts. Therefore, Beirne’s argument is strong and the issue raised in his work is quite relevant in this context. Ascione (2010, p. 201) and Munro (2006, p. 196) present the same issue as Beirne but in brief. Both use real and appropriate examples to support this argument, which makes the two sources to be quite relevant to the issue of animal abuse. Gullone and Robertson (2008, p. 371), Lee (2011, p. 62) and Beirne (2011, p. 349) provide strong arguments on the issue of animal abuse though much of the content comprises personal opinions and evaluations of the authors. Conclusion In conclusion, numerous scholars and authors have paid attention to the issue of animal abuse and have offered differing but non-contrasting opinions and arguments regarding the practices that constitute animal abuse. This paper has examined some of the most relevant and reliable scholarly sources on this issue. Generally, all the sources examined have achieved their intended purposes of relaying quality information regarding animal abuse to the readers. Importantly, they contribute immensely to a reader’s understanding of what counts as animal abuse. One of the practices disclosed in this literature is inhumane slaughtering of animals. Denying animals freedom by caging or chaining them is also examined. Sexual abuse of animals is a practice which is condemned by many of the authors of the sources consulted. According to the sources, improper disposal of companion animals by selling them or relinquishing them also contributes to cruel treatment of animals. Another issue that is disclosed is the use of animals in experiments, where they suffer from biological or physical harm or are killed in the process. Beating and improper feeding of animals are also briefly mentioned. Generally, the sources examined in the paper are highly informative and reliable. References Anthony, R 2009, ‘Farming Animals and the Capabilities Approach: Understanding Roles and Responsibilities through Narrative Ethics’, Society and Animals, Vol. 17, pp. 257-278. Ascione, F 2010, The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty: Theory, Research and Application, Purdue University Press, Washington DC. Ballingall, A 2012, ‘This is pet abuse’, Journal of Social Relations, Vol. 125 Issue 11, pp. 42-45. Beirne, P 2009, Confronting Animal Abuse: Law, Criminology, and Human-Animal Relationships, Rowman & Littlefield, London. Beirne, P 2011, ‘Animal abuse and criminology: introduction to a special issue’, Crime, Law and Social Change, Vol. 55, Iss. 5, Pp. 349 – 357. Burghardt, G 2009, ‘Ethics and Animal Consciousness: How Rubber the Ethical Ruler?’ Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 65, Iss. 3, pp. 499—521. Glasgow, D 2008, ‘The Law of the Jungle: Advocating for Animals in Australia’, Deakin Law Review, Vol. 13 Iss. 1, pp. 181-210. Gullone, E & Robertson, N 2008, ‘The relationship between bullying and animal abuse behaviours in adolescents: The importance of witnessing animal abuse.’ Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Vol. 29, Iss. 5, Pp. 371 – 379. Lee, A 2011, ‘Discerning the truth about abuse’ RDH, Vol. 8. Iss. 3, p. 62. Munro, H M C 2006, ‘Animal sexual abuse: A veterinary taboo?’, The Veterinary Journal, Vol. 172, Iss. 2, Pp. 195–197. White, S 2009, ‘Companion Animals Members of the Family or Legally Discarded Objects’, UNSW Law Journal, Vol. 32, Iss. 3, pp. 852-878. Wolfson, D & Sullivan, M 2004, ’Foxes in the Hen House. Animals, Agribusiness, and the Law: A Modern American Fable’, in Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions, Sunstein, C & Craven, M. (eds), Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 205-233. Read More