animal cruelty
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animal cruelty
The cruel, abusive, or neglectful treatment of animals that causes them pain, suffering, or harm. Animal cruelty is a criminal offense in many countries.
Die Haltung der Hunde in den engen Käfigen wurde als Tierquälerei angezeigt.
Keeping the dogs in the cramped cages was reported as animal cruelty.
The word is made up of 'Tier' (animal) and the stem of the verb 'quälen' (to torment). The ending '-ei' here denotes an action viewed negatively, similar to 'Schlägerei' (brawl) or 'Heuchelei' (hypocrisy).
Er wurde wegen Tierquälerei zu einer Geldstrafe verurteilt.
He was sentenced to a fine for animal cruelty.
Since it is a criminal offense, 'Tierquälerei' (animal cruelty) is often combined with legal verbs. Typical phrases are 'Tierquälerei anzeigen' (to report animal cruelty), 'wegen Tierquälerei verurteilt werden' (to be convicted of animal cruelty), or 'gegen Tierquälerei kämpfen' (to fight against animal cruelty).
Die Nachbarn haben den Fall von Tierquälerei bei der Polizei angezeigt.
The neighbors reported the case of animal cruelty to the police.
'Tierquälerei' (animal cruelty) is usually used as an uncountable noun. You talk about the concept in general and rarely use an article when referring to the criminal offense itself.
Tierquälerei ist kein Kavaliersdelikt, sondern eine Straftat.
Animal cruelty is not a minor offense, but a crime.
animal protection
'der Tierschutz' and 'die Tierquälerei' are clear opposites. 'Tierschutz' means protecting animals from pain, suffering, and poor treatment. 'Tierquälerei' means the opposite: animals are treated cruelly, neglected, or injured. When it is about help, rules, and better living conditions for animals, 'Tierschutz' fits. When animals suffer or are deliberately treated badly, people speak of 'Tierquälerei'.
Die Polizei prüft den Fall, weil die Nachbarn Tierquälerei vermuten.
The police are investigating the case because the neighbors suspect animal cruelty.
Tierschutz ist wichtig, damit Tiere nicht unnötig leiden müssen.
Animal protection is important so that animals do not have to suffer unnecessarily.