Maral Cavner is a law student focused on animal law who supports stricter animal cruelty laws. The document defines animal cruelty as acts of neglect or violence against animals, including neglect by failing to provide food, shelter, water or veterinary care; intentional cruelty like inflicting injury or harm through maiming or torture; and overt abuse. While laws vary by state, many offenders receive light penalties as only 33 states treat animal cruelty as a felony.

1. Maral Cavner

2.  A former intern at the Missouri Attorney General’s office,
Maral Cavner is an law student focused on studying animal
law. Passionate about safeguarding animal rights, Maral
Cavner supports stricter animal cruelty laws.
Animal cruelty encompasses all acts of neglect or violence
against animals. They include neglect, intentional cruelty,
and overt animal abuse.
Neglect is defined as the failure of an owner to provide
animals with basic requirements including food, shelter,
water, and veterinary care. Many times, neglect is due to the
owner’s lack of awareness of his or her role and is remedied
by compelling the owner to provide the basic necessities. If
essential care is still not administered, the animal is rescued
by the relevant authorities.

3.  Intentional cruelty is characterized by the infliction
of actual injury or physical harm to an animal.
These forms of harm include maiming, torture,
and even killing. The operation of dogfighting and
cockfighting rings can also be construed as
intentional cruelty.
As animal cruelty laws differ from state to state,
many of the offenders go unpenalized or with a
light sentence; only 33 states recognize animal
cruelty as a felony. The other states treat it as a
misdemeanor, meaning that even individuals
found guilty of intentional cruelty receive a
maximum of $1,000 in fines or a year in prison.