Report Animal Cruelty

If you suspect someone you know is abusing animals, please speak up. The best thing you can do is report your suspicions of cruelty.

How to Report Cruelty

The proper evidence and witnesses are required to successfully build a case for seizure and/or prosecution. Try to gather the following information before submitting a report of animal cruelty:

• Name, exact address, and contact information of the animals' owner, if known.
• A concise, written, factual statement of what you observed—giving dates and approximate times whenever possible—to provide to Animal Protection Services or 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.
• If you can, provide Animal Protection Services or law enforcement with the names and contact information of other people who have firsthand information about the abusive situation.
• It is possible to file an anonymous report, but please consider providing your information. Your name and daytime phone number. 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.

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 or an 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

Environmental Signs of Cruelty

• Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary
• Potential injury from tangled leashes, ropes, or chains
• Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter
• Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
• Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements
• Animals fighting and hoarding
• Illegal shooting, trapping, abandonment, poisoning, or torture of any domestic animal

Animals left in unattended vehicles and subject to conditions that would or could adversely affect the animal’s health or welfare