Many people believe that civil disobedience is OK when laws are unjust. If civil disobedience is always wrong, then nothing would ever change in this world...slavery would still be legal, and all sorts of other bad laws would still be in effect.
Why shouldn't horribly abused animals be rescued? IIRC, you supported rescuing abused beagles who were kept in small cages their entire life, for the purpose of animal testing.
You would probably support rescuing these 2 Orcas from being abandoned at this now-closed marine park, in a filthy tank, completely unable to escape.
I believe in the right to rescue. If animals are being clearly and horribly abused, IMO whoever is responsible for them forfeits their right to keep the animal. Animals are not physical objects...they are sentient, sensitive living beings who are just as precious as your dog or cat.