Does killing Rats count as Animal Cruelty?

[Xaven]

For me, it's simple. Rats have a negative effect on my territory (by consuming my food and spreading diseases/germs). By killing the ones invading my territory, I fix this problem. I think this is pretty natural behaviour.
Other than that, I really dont care what the rats do, and I definitely don't consider keeping your own house clean as animal cruelty. Stomping random rats out in the woods would be, though.

Cruelty involves some sort of cruel act, like severing someone's head or ripping their fingernails off, not quicklly and painlessly killing something. If it's quick and it isn't someone elses pet then go for it. Plus if you're that worried about it, pick it up and put it elsewhere.

Yup.