Report animal neglect and cruelty

How to Recognize Animal Cruelty

While an aggressive, timid or fearful animal may appear to be a cruelty victim, it is not possible to know if an animal is being abused based on their behavior alone.

It is best to examine the animal and his surrounding environment to determine whether or not he or she needs help.

Environmental Signs of Cruelty

Neglect and Unsanitary Conditions are unhealthy for several reasons and happen for no good reason. Nevertheless animals can become trapped in conditions that lead to disease, injury, infection and death.

To protect these unfortunate animals, people must take note and act.
Sometimes it is just an inexperienced animal owner who needs to be taught about animal ownership, other times, law enforement must get involved.

Community involvement is key to protecting our animals.

Pets are tied up alone
outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary

Pets are kept outside
in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter

Pets are in unsanitary conditions
littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them

Animals are in kennels or cages
that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements

Physical Signs of Cruelty

Tight collar
that has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet's neck

Open wounds
signs of multiple healed wounds, ongoing injury or illness that isn't being treated

Untreated skin conditions
that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes

Extreme thinness
or emaciation -bones may be visible

Fur infested
with fleas, ticks or other parasites

Patches
of bumpy, scaly skin rashes

Signs of inadequate grooming
such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat

Weakness
limping or the inability to stand or walk normally

Heavy discharge
from eyes or nose

An owner striking
or otherwise physically abusing an animal

Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness

How to Report Cruelty

Try to gather the following information before submitting a report of animal cruelty:

A written, factual statement
of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times whenever possible to provide to law enforcement.

Photographs
of the location the animals in question and the surrounding area. Note: do not put yourself in danger! Do not enter another person's property without permission, and exercise great caution around unfamiliar animals who may be frightened or in pain.

Provide law enforcement
The names and contact information of other people who have firsthand information about the abusive situation.

You can file an anonymous report
but please consider providing your information. The case is more likely to be pursued when there are credible witnesses willing to stand behind the report and, if necessary, testify in court.

Record exactly whom you contacted
The date of the contacts, copies of any documents you provided to law enforcement or animal control and the content and outcome of your discussion.

If you do not receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, make a polite follow-up call to inquire about the progress of the investigation.

To Report Cruelty Seen on the Internet

If you see cruelty depicted online, there are steps you can take to report the site or images in question:

Access this background information for a particular website by visiting www.whois.net and doing a "whois" search of the site in question, then contact the site's ISP (Internet service provider) about the offensive material.

If you have concrete information
that a website is displaying or promoting criminal acts, you may wish to contact any or all of the following organizations and advise them of the facts of the situation:

Local law enforcement officials
(from which the website originates the "whois" search wand the registrant's address) and, if you think an animal is in immediate danger, the possible offender's local FBI branch

Your local animal shelter
or humane societywhich may have the power to enforce animal cruelty laws in the area

The local Board of Health
because abuse of animals often involves unsafe or unsanitary conditions for humans

Internet Crime Complaint Center
but only if what you have seen has a financial element (someone selling, trading, or offering an illegal good or service)

Online and media outlets
Use the power of the media to bring public attention to an animal abuse situation which can help initiate corrective actions

To Report Cruelty Shown in Movies or on Television

The ASPCA shares your concern about the media's depiction of violence and cruelty toward animals for entertainment purposes.

Please know, however, that many of these instances are constitutionally protected free speech and may not even involve a real animal.

ASPCA and Humane Society Contacts

The ASPCA

Humane Society