Animal cruelty includes a wide range of behaviors that are mistreatment of animals—from neglect (depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, or veterinary care) to torturing, maiming, mutilating, and killing animals. Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes.
In North Carolina, animal cruelty is addressed under the state's anti-cruelty statutes. These laws prohibit various forms of mistreatment towards animals, including neglect, abuse, and acts of intentional cruelty. Neglect involves failing to provide necessary sustenance, care, or shelter, while intentional cruelty can include acts of violence such as torture, maiming, mutilation, or killing of an animal. North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S.) § 14-360 specifically makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to intentionally overwork, wound, injure, torment, kill, or deprive an animal of necessary sustenance. Aggravated offenses, such as maliciously torturing, mutilating, or killing an animal, can be elevated to a Class H felony. The state also has laws concerning the proper care of animals by their owners and the penalties for abandoning animals. These laws reflect the state's commitment to the protection of animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty to animals.