Animal protection laws are meant to protect every kind of animal, from house pets to wild animals. These laws often include strict penalties for intentionally harming animals. While some laws are Federal, other laws are set by states, municipalities and countries. However, no state or local laws may contradict or go against the Federal laws.
Animal Welfare Standards
Federal law 7 USC 2131-2159 sets the standards for pet animals in the United States. This law outlines standards for all aspects of animal care. It includes standards for shipping, including making it illegal to ship animals via the United States Postal Service.
Harassment
Animal protection laws generally protect animals from human harassment. For example, Article 6 of the Taiwan Animal Protection Law states that no one can harass an animal, regardless of who owns or feeds it. This means that the animal owner can't harass the animal and neither can anyone else.
Animal Abuse
Most countries have some sort of law or code against animal abuse. Latvia, for example, has the Animal Protection Law, which lists 13 types of animal abuse, including mutilating, tormenting and torturing an animal. It further states that anyone penalized for violating the Animal Protection Law is prohibited from owning animals.
State Laws
Numerous states have animal protection laws. Many of these build upon Federal laws. For example, NHST§209:9 is a New Hampshire law that builds upon the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by making it a crime to disturb the nests or young of these animals.
Birds
Animal protection laws aren't limited to pets, wild birds are also covered, including eagles. Under 16 U.S.C. 668, more commonly known as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, it is a Federal crime to capture a bald or golden eagle without a permit.
Tags: Animal protection laws, protection laws, animal abuse, Animal Protection, animals United