Animal cruelty is not only wrong—it is against the law in every
state in this country! Animal abuse can also be part of a pattern of other violent acts within families and society. Abuse
of any kind should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately.
For additional information on recognizing
and reporting cruelty, as well as how to talk to children about this important issues, please read our Reporting Cruelty FAQ.
Tips
for Reporting Animal Cruelty
Once you have found out which law enforcement agent you should speak to, it’s important
to provide him or her with a concise, written, factual statement of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times
whenever possible. If at all feasible, try to photograph the abusive situation and date your pictures. It would also be helpful
to get short, factual written statements from other witnesses.
When you call to report animal cruelty, always make sure to keep a careful record of exactly whom you contact, the
date of the contacts and the content and outcome of your discussion. Never give away a document without making a copy for
your file! Make it clear to the agent that you are very interested in pursuing the case, and that you are willing to lend
whatever assistance you can.
Follow Up if Necessary
If you don’t receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, don’t
be afraid to present your information to his or her supervisor and, if necessary, to local government officials, such as the
county commissioner, and ask them to act.
If you have
witnessed the cruel act yourself, you can go to your local police commissioner and ask to swear out a warrant to summon the
accused person to court. Remember that expert witnesses are sometimes necessary in animal cruelty cases. A veterinarian, for
example, can sign a statement that it is his or her “expert opinion” that a dog suffers when hit with a chain,
is deprived of food, etc. Expert opinions will very often make or break a case, so if you happen to know a sympathetic veterinarian,
you may wish to seek his or her assistance and tell the officer that you have expert support lined up for your case.
Animal Cruelty on TV and Film
The ASPCA shares your concern about the media’s
depiction of violence and cruelty towards 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.
If you are offended by something you viewed, we suggest that you contact the network that
aired the program or the publisher of the film in question.
You may also wish to contact the American Humane Association Movie and Television Unit online or at (818) 501-0123. This unit oversees the use of live animals
in movies and television as part of an agreement with the Screen Directors Guild.
Websites that Depict Animal Cruelty
The Internet delivers an astounding array of images and ideas
into homes across the world. But not all of these images are particularly animal-friendly. In fact, some of what is being
sold and shown online crosses into the realm of criminal activity. And in some cases, there are laws against showing and selling
these images.
To report websites that display acts
of cruelty to animals, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice
