There are moral rights and legal rights.
To take forcible control of other people's property when it its use has no direct affect upon us is an act of covetousness. Hence, an act of animal cruelty beyond the property of another is a matter of collective interest.
But if you are making the argument about food animals in a barnyard, then it's valid.
It is better to work on the heart of the perp than to invoke the power of the state simply because elevating such to a matter of police power is a threat to all, as who controls the state then controls all property.
100% correct, Sir (or Ma'am, whichever is appropriate)!