Animal Cruelty

Why should animal cruelty be a crime?

Could any of you give me a rational reason as to why it should be a crime? Leave your feelings and morals at the door, this isn't Oprah's book club.

>>8
give me any rational reason why murder should be a crime
Because humans are more important than animals, are sentient, and the person murdered (probably) contributed to society in some way where animals don't do anything to anyone.

I'm not some crazy animal abuser, but this is just common sense.