Why is it against the law to abuse animals?

It's against the law because: IT IS WRONG. People make laws for a reason, to prevent wrongdoings, crimes and hurting others. Abusing animals is definitely immoral, unjust and wrong (Abuse of people is against the law, so why shouldn't animals be too?). It's like abusing an innocent child who can't speak out for themselves for no reason.

Also, even if it wasn't against the law, it is still wrong and shouldn't be done.

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Non-human animals have no inherent rights. IF animals had rights: what moral obligations do they have?. That there is no moral obligation makes it abundantly obvious that non human animals have no inherent rights.

Laws NEVER prevent action.