Pet Care & Protection Laws @ Grassroots Animal Rights

If you have concerns that an animal is being abused, or think someone is killing animals without just cause, you may be that animals (or others) only hope.

What To Do First
First, find out which local organization is in charge of investigating and enforcing cruelty to animals laws in your state, county, or town. this may be the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Humane Society, or a funded animal shelter. When in doubt, you can contact local police.

If you think the animal is not in an immediate danger, check your local animal protection laws at a local library, city hall, or an online search. Most animal protection laws can be found on this site by state. Make a copy of the law you believe to be in question, and be ready to show your findings to the authorities. For the most part, causing an animal unnecessary suffering is illegal. This can mean anything from beating an animal to neglecting food, fresh water, or shelter, to killing an animal.

If you believe an animal or other animal are in a life threatening situation, contact local authorities immediately. Follow up with them in a timely matter check their findings. If they do not respond, contact PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) immediately.

Once you figure out which law enforcement agency to contact (and you know the animals) are not in immediate danger, provide them with a short, to the point, factual written statement, with the key information of what you observed with dates and approximate times, and location. Evidence gathering in a timely matter is crucial, as the more time that passes, the greater risk there is to specifics being forgotten, witness not being found, evidence disappears, and injuries will be healed up, etc.

If possible, pictures or video tapes with date and time. This will secure your case, and a written statement from witnesses will back up your surveillance.

Keep record of everyone you talk to. Authorities or otherwise. Dates and times you talked to them. And what the outcome of your conversation was. Never pass pictures, letters, statements, etc. without keeping a copy for yourself. Make it clear that you will stay involved, lend your assistance if necessary, and follow this case, and follow up. The more you stay involved, the more authorities will.

Authorities should get a visual inspection of the animals) in question, and if possible get a hand on exam (referred to as “palpating” the animal) in order to find injuries or unhealthy physical and/or living conditions. Authorities are often fooled by a dog who “enthused” by him being there. The animals “happy” behavior does not mean it is safe. The animal may be starved for attention, or anxious to please. The scene should be thoroughly inspected for any indication that abuse has occurred. Suspects and neighbors (potential witnesses) should be interviewed. If the investigator agrees that your complaint is real, a warning may be issued, charges filed, a warrant served, and/or the animals) removed.

Keep following up with the case, many animals have been saved from peoples persistence. If you feel the authorities are not doing a satisfactory job, go straight to their supervisors (such as the mayor, prosecutors, city officials, or county commissionaires. Even a call to TV or newspapers can make a HUGE difference. New coverage often gets authorities in the right gear, and/or get the person in question to stop what he’s doing. This can also motivate others with their past events of animal abuse.

 
When in doubt, call PETA for help. Advocating your own animal abuse case can be heart breaking and difficult, but they are counting on you to have the strength to come forward. PETA will give guidance and support, or if local officials do not act quickly to your claim.

PETA can be reached day or night @ (757) 622-7382 and dial 2.