Animal cruelty can range from simple neglect to outright physical violence against an animal. In any case, animal cruelty is always wrong and should be reported to your local authorities. It is important to know that pet owners not only have a moral obligation but a legal obligation to properly care for their animals. Below is Pennsylvania's law on animal cruelty.

Title 18-Section 5511(c) of the Pennsylvania Anti-Cruelty Law: Cruelty to Animals. – A person commits a summary offense if he wantonly or cruelly ill-treats, overloads, beats, otherwise abuses any animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has the duty to care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, or abandons any animal, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or veterinary care, or access to clean and sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against inclement weather and preserve the animal’s body heat and keep it dry.