Reporting Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is a problem and it is happening all around us. Animal cruelty is the obvious things like setting a puppy on fire and hanging a cat until it dies. But animal cruelty is also subtle things like medical neglect and starvation. 

There is a fine line between how people interpret proper care for their pets and actual animal cruelty. The Sate of Alabama basically says you have to provide proper shelter, food, water and appropriate veterinary care. It doesn’t say you have to feed your pet expensive pet food or let them sleep in your bed.  

To help identify some signs of possible animal cruelty, here is a list provided by the ASPCA:

• Collar so tight that it 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
• 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 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 possibly with too many other animals

 

If you feel like you have witnessed true animal cruelty please call your local law enforcement agency. Before you call make sure you have properly documented the situation, write down dates, times and specific observations. If possible take pictures and have those available for law enforcement officers. Always make copies of everything for your files. 

Animal cruelty and neglect is a real problem. Help be a part of the solution by reporting it to the proper agency. 

The Humane Society Weekly Wish: Dry pet food, cat litter and bleach please.

Jack Fisher

Board of Directors

Comments

[Brooklyn Wofford]

what about if someone is buying a pitbull to train it to fight humans off

[Stacee Strength- LCHS Director of PR and Development]

There are local ordinances that pertain to training an animal to attack or fight. Contact your local animal control officer to find out the specific ordinances for where you live.

Also, there is an Alabama state law that holds the pet owner liable for any damages caused by their animal.

Please contact us at LCHS@leecountyhumane.org if you have more questions.

Thank you for your concern.

Stacee Strength
Director of Public Relations and Development