CRUELTY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS: A JURISPRUDENTIAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The article analyzes the crime of animal abandonment, highlighting the motivations for this behavior and its negative consequences for the affected animals. Firstly, the reasons behind abandonment and the impacts of this act on the animals' lives are investigated, showing that they suffer painful and adverse experiences. Next, the sentience of animals is discussed, proving that they are capable of feeling pain and suffering. The lack of responsible ownership, often resulting from human ignorance, contributes to the frequency of abandonment, highlighting the need for greater awareness of animal welfare. The study also revisits the history of public policies, which traditionally focus on human well-being and often neglect the needs of homeless animals. Furthermore, the domestication of animals, originally wild, brings challenges, such as abuse and mistreatment. NGOs play a crucial role in protecting animals, but it is necessary for the State to reevaluate and improve its public policies to ensure effectiveness in the treatment of abandoned animals. The article concludes that it is essential to develop more effective policies and actions, with the involvement of all sectors of society, to protect and improve the quality of life of abandoned animals, recognizing their sentience and ensuring their well-being.