[riverdawg]

“Shooting an animal is not ‘cruelty’ under the law of any jurisdiction that I know of.”

Then you don’t know much law. Many states (e.g., Georgia) prohibit shooting a dog, for example, unless there is imminent threat of physical harm to your person or property or that of another. On the other hand, in Michigan you can get a bounty for killing a starling (3 cents) or a crow (10 cents).

[Ramius]

Many states (e.g., Georgia) prohibit shooting a dog, for example, unless there is imminent threat of physical harm to your person or property or that of another.

I'm sure there's many such laws. Shooting an animal may also violate gun discharge laws in cities or whatnot. That's not what I was saying. This guy was charged not for killing the animal or discharging the gun... he was charged with "animal cruelty".