It is a matter of perspective.
Our species created words. And chose what what will each word will refer to.
Some may think animals refer to any non-human non-insect sentient organism that walks on land. From their perspective humans are not animals.
Some may want to include humans in the group the word refers to. From theirs', they are animals.
We might want to research the word, first. And the purpose for which it was originally created.
Because the fact that we share most of our DNA, and other similarities, with other lifeforms, is .well.., a fact.
Scientifically? I view humans as a highly evolved subspecies of primates, which are in the greater category of big mammals.
I don't even use the word "animal". Cause it does not strengthen, or weaken the afformentioned view, since it does not add any scientific facts.
It is merely an everyday casual word that can be interpreted differently.