Animal Law, Ethics and Enforcement: Investigating Animal Cruelty

In the United States, state anti-cruelty acts regulate the treatment of companion animals. The anti-cruelty acts protect against intentional infliction of pain, suffering, injury and death on animals. Some states have protections against animal fighting as well.  State anti-cruelty statutes as applied to companion animals often work to convict persons accused of animal abuse. In most states, pets are considered the property of their owners.