Animal cruelty includes a wide range of behaviors that are mistreatment of animals—from neglect (depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, or veterinary care) to torturing, maiming, mutilating, and killing animals. Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes.
In Connecticut, animal cruelty is addressed under Section 53-247 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The law prohibits a range of actions that constitute cruelty to animals, including overdriving, overloading, overworking, torturing, depriving of sustenance, mutilating, cruelly beating or killing, or unjustifiably injuring any animal. The law also makes it illegal to fail to provide proper care, including food, water, shelter, and veterinary care when needed. Penalties for violating these laws can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. Connecticut also has provisions for the seizure of mistreated animals and court-ordered psychological counseling for offenders. The state takes animal cruelty seriously, and these laws reflect an effort to protect animals from abuse and neglect.