Who'd want them?

I don't know. I wouldn't think so, but I think I see the point you are trying to make. It's never perfect but I think it might be a start.

@BeeHappy I am by no means giving excuses for animal abusers. I am an animal lover with two dogs. I can't even imagine anyone mistreating them. They are a big part of my family.

I didn't think you were.

Last year moves started to ban whipping in Australian horse racing and some changes occurred.
[kb.rspca.org.au]

on the other hand people that abuse animals are more likely to abuse or kill humans. It might be a way of getting ahead of the more serious crimes that amount to more time and more damage to society. Agree on the prison industrial complex being too big

@btroje yeah but what constitutes abuse, legally? Are we going to end up with situations analogous to moms being jailed for letting their kids walk to school alone? Keep in mind the tendancy of authorities and public opinion to deeply intrude on personal liberty. There's a bigger picture here, in which basic,normal human behaviour is being systematically demonized.

@Blindbird good question but having worked in animal rescue and in jails and prisons I wouldnt worry about the threshold falling very low too soon

@btroje sadly true.