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 Massachusetts, animal cruelty is taken very seriously and is governed by state statutes that outline various forms of mistreatment and their corresponding penalties. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272, Section 77, it is illegal to overdrive, overload, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, cruelly beat, mutilate or kill an animal, or to cause or procure any such treatment. The law also prohibits keeping an animal in a condition of cruelty, such as confinement without adequate food, water, or shelter. Additionally, Massachusetts requires that veterinarians report suspected animal abuse. Penalties for animal cruelty can include fines, imprisonment, or both. The state may also impose a ban on owning or possessing animals for those convicted of animal cruelty offenses. These laws reflect Massachusetts' commitment to protecting animals from abuse and neglect.