Legal Definitions - legal cruelty

Definition: Legal cruelty refers to intentional and malicious infliction of mental or physical suffering on a living creature, especially a human, which is considered abusive treatment or outrage. It can also refer to cruelty towards animals or children.

• Cruelty: One spouse physically harms the other, or creates a reasonable fear of bodily harm, which endangers life, limb, or health and makes marital cohabitation unsafe or improper.
• Cruelty to animals: A person intentionally harms or causes the death of an animal, either through malicious intent or criminal negligence.
• Cruelty to a child: A person abuses or neglects a child, causing physical or emotional harm.

These examples illustrate how legal cruelty can take different forms, including physical harm, emotional distress, and neglect. In each case, the perpetrator intentionally causes harm or creates a situation that endangers the well-being of another living creature. Legal systems recognize these actions as cruel and may impose penalties or allow for legal action to be taken against the perpetrator.