Editing Mutilation (section)

==Maiming==
''Maiming'', or mutilation which involves the loss of, or incapacity to use, a bodily member, is and has been practiced by many societies with various cultural and religious significance, and is also a customary form of [[Corporal punishment|physical punishment]], especially applied on the principle of an [[eye for an eye]].

Historical examples are plenty; Chinese general [[Sun Bin]] had his kneecaps removed after being framed for treason during the [[Warring States period]], while [[Araucanian]] warrior [[Galvarino]] had his hands [[amputation|amputated]] as punishment while as a prisoner during the Spanish [[conquest of Chile]].

Maiming has often been a criminal offense; the old law term for a special case of maiming of persons was [[Mayhem (crime)|mayhem]], an [[Anglo]]-[[French language|French]] variant form of the word.

Maiming of animals by others than their owners is a particular form of the offense generally grouped as malicious damage. For the purpose of the law as to this offense animals are divided into cattle, which includes pigs and [[equid]]s, and other animals which are either subjects of larceny at common [[law]] or are usually kept in confinement or for domestic purposes.

In Britain under the [[Malicious Damage Act 1861]] the punishment for maiming of cattle was three to fourteen years' penal servitude; malicious injury to other animals was a misdemeanor punishable on summary conviction. For a second offense the penalty was imprisonment with hard labor for over twelve months. Today maiming of animals falls under the Cruelty to Animals Acts, while maiming by others is additionally treated as [[criminal damage]].