Broadly speaking, there are two approaches to the issue. The animal welfare position holds that there is nothing inherently wrong with using animals for human purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, and research, but that it should be done in a humane way that minimizes unnecessary pain and suffering.

Animal theorists criticize this position, arguing that the words "unnecessary" and "humane" are subject to widely differing interpretations and that the only way to ensure protection for animals is to end their status as property, and to ensure that they are never used as commodities. Laws concerning animal cruelty are designed to prevent needless cruelty to animals, rather than killing for other aims such as food, or they concern species not eaten as food in the country involved, such as those regarded as pets.

Over 10 millon animals are slaughtered eath year for human consumption. Laying hens are kept in cages that are very small, and most of them die from stress or diesease. Hunting is one of the unnecessary method of animal cruelty.

 People with emotional problems may beat, shoot, or stab animals or set them on fire. Those who abuse animals are very likely to be violent to other people—even their own family—too.

Neglect is not giving an animal the right food, water, shelter or vet care. Because their misery goes on for so long, animals who die of neglect can suffer just as much as animals who are harmed on purpose.

All U.S. states have animal cruelty laws, and 47 states treat some forms of abuse as felonies. farmers and reseachers can do cruel things to animals that other people can't do legally, but all states have some protection for pets like dogs and cats.