[Avodah] Tzaar Baalei Chayim

[cantorwolberg at cox.net]

Is there a point at which someone can forfeit ownership of an animal of
theirs because they cause it too much pain? Or do we say "azov taazov
*imo*" shows that even if the animal is being afflicted, there is no
responsibility on anyone else to remove that suffering unless the owner is
involved as well?

In common law, it is a criminal act when someone causes an animal unnecessary pain.
People are arrested for this and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Why would Torah law be more lenient?