Laws Against Animal Cruelty

America is pretty far, regarding how we treat animals; considering it was just recently that we passed rights that effect the fundamentals of natural laws for Women and African Americans.  Animal rights are wide spread in America, and there are serious results for abusing an animal.  We aren't in the stone age when it comes to animal rights.  Many states have very specific laws that help to protect animals and punish thoughs who abuse them.  Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that animals are free of human harm.  Women and African American's are free of any abuse, concerning their natural rights.  However, humans can still get away with abusing the natural rights of animals.  State laws that punish people for doing such crimes are giving the voice to the animal, which is pretty big.  If the rights that we have just recently given to humans was ground-breaking, then giving a voice to animals can be considered a respectable accomplishment of America, too.