Cruelty to Animals: Definitions

"[S]ocially unacceptable behavior that intentionally causes unecessary pain, suffering, or distress to, and/or death of, an animal." (Ascione, 1993)

"[T]reatment of animals that causes gratuitous, unwarranted or unjustifiable suffering or harm (including death)." (Vaughn et al, 2009).

• Vaughn M.G, Fu Q, DeLisi M., Beaver K.M., Perron B.E., Terrell K, Howard M.O. (2009). Correlates of cruelty to animals in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic survey on alchohol and related conditions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 43, 1213-1218.