It's both. I don't think it includes animals, and it needs to be made explicit because, in our society, the way the criminal justice system is set up is that animal offences are often pleaded out. If they are there, they're often not recognized and not recognized by the courts. Therefore, the explicit need to refer to animals will provide the judiciary, the prosecutors and the enforcement officers, as well as the victims, with the understanding that this is what's happening.
On February 26th, 2024. See this statement in context.