"End animal abuse!" said an activist. . One man stood up and said, "You mean, my wife?"
Have you ever been in an abusive relationship such as that one?
I don't get what are you implying
Making jokes like this is similar to saying that you yourself believe that women are animals, or that abusing them in marriage is commonplace.  These are obviously harmful stereotypes, so they shouldn't be perpetuated, even in jest.