What To Do When You Witness Animal Cruelty
From All-Creatures.org Animal Rights/Vegan Activist Strategies Articles Archive

FROM ALDF Animal Legal Defense Fund
April 2020


Whether it be an acute act of violence or chronic neglect, find out what you can do when you witness animal cruelty.

Pitbull

It can be disturbing-and heartbreaking-to witness an act of animal cruelty. Whether it be an acute act of violence or chronic neglect, find out what you can do when you witness animal cruelty.

How Do I Report Suspected Abuse?

For detailed information and to find resources in your state, visit NATIONAL LINK COALITION.

NATIONAL LINK COALITION

animal abuse

Reporting suspected family violence can be either a relatively simple or fairly confusing process. In cases of suspected child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, or domestic violence and sexual assault the procedures are fairly straightforward: any municipal, county or state law enforcement agency is authorized to receive reports and initiate an investigation. In addition, every state has either a statewide crisis line, or a directory of county agencies, where reports may be made. (For elder abuse, many states have two hotlines: one for elder abuse in the home, and an ombudsman for elder abuse in long-term care facilities.)

Furthermore, there are statewide associations, such as coalitions for the prevention of child abuse or elder abuse or coalitions against domestic violence, that can offer assistance.

Reporting animal cruelty, abuse and neglect is far more complicated. There are no national or statewide systems: contrary to popular opinion, local humane societies or SPCAs (societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals) are not branches or affiliates of national organizations. Each local animal welfare organization is independent with its own board of directors and anti-cruelty law enforcement powers which range from full to none. Many city or county animal control or animal services officers are empowered to enforce cruelty laws, but many are not – and many are limited in the scope of which laws or species they are allowed to assist.

For more detailed information and to find resources in your state, visit NATIONAL LINK COALITION.

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