Stupid new anti-tethering law

[innerSpaceman]

But what is criminalization if not for societally-established punishment for violation of that society's moral code?

There's nothing inherently wrong with stealing, but it's a criminal offense because people have decided it's wrong and they don't like it and they want it discouraged by punishment, and punished by punishment.

A society can apply its criminal laws to anything it similarly wants to discourage and/or punish.

It may just be me, but a dominant society that protects other species besides its own seems entirely more civilized that one which does not.