Cruelty
Journal: Animal welfare
Year: 2025

This chapter charts the development of cruelty to animals, including humans, asks why humans are especially cruel, and considers whether we can reduce cruelty in society. The place of cruelty in war is discussed, both in human and animal societies, and the growing way in which humans are developing capacity for mass destruction. The worst examples of cruelty, in wars, are a common feature of human society, but this is relatively rare in animals. It concludes that animals can be cruel, but not to