Animal Abuse
Silence isn't Always Golden
Unfortunately, there is no
quick fix for animal abuse, but there are so many things we can all do
to help. If you suspect animal abuse please don't turn
away. Please make a call and report it . If you're not sure, don't worry,
make the call anyway, authorized personal will make the decision whether
intervention is warranted. If you're not sure who to report a
possible animal abuse case to, call your local animals shelter.
Many shelters have humane officers that work with them.
For the most part, many people's hearts are in the right place when it
comes to their pets, they simply don't know all the facts. Educate yourself, so you can educate them.
Officer Annemarie Lucas, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement's Special Investigator from the award winning reality series Animal Precinct has compiled 10 top ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty.
1. Be Aware.
Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their
neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal
abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with
YOU--that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears
open. Get to know and look out for the animals in your
neighborhood. By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for
example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight
rapidly-- a possible indicator of abuse.
2. Learn to recognize animal cruelty. Here are some signs and symptoms that we see in many of the cases we investigate:
**Tick or flea infestations.Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animals death.
**Wounds on the body.
**Patches of missing hair.
**Extremely thin, starving animals.
**Limping.
**An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
**Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.
**Dogs
who have been hit by cars--or are showing any of the signs listed
above--and have not been to a veterinarian.
**Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.
**Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.
3. Know who to call to report animal cruelty.
We're lucky here at the ASPCA in New York City, because we have Humane
Law Enforcement officers who have the power investigate and arrest
perpetrators of animal cruelty in the state of New York. But
every state and even every town is different. In some areas, you
may have to rely on the police department to investigate animal
cruelty; in others, you may have to contact your local animal control or
another municipal agency. If you aren't sure where to report
cruelty, you can search Humane Law Enforcement directory online or ask
your local humane organization.
4. Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty.
The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting the
investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty
that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and
where it took place.
5. Call or write you local law enforcement department and
let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a
priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME--and the police MUST
investigate these crimes.
6. Know your state's animal cruelty laws. They vary
from state to state, and even from city to city. You can visit
the ASPCA's website and get a wallet-sized printout with outlines of
the animal welfare laws in all 50 states.
7. You can fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on
federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy
Brigade. It's frustrating when I have built a strong case against
someone who has been arrested for cruelty to animals and the judge
treats it like a simple violation. But with stronger laws,
they'll be more likely to receive tougher penalties. You'll
receive e-mails asking you to write letters encouraging your
legislators to pass these laws--and you can send them directly from our
website.
8. Set a good example for others. If you have pets,
be sure to always show them the love and good care that they
deserve. But it's more than just food, water and adequate
shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the
veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or
neutered. And I always give my own pets lots of hugs when I get
home!
9. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect.
I regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been
reported. If a parent isn't treating the family's pets right, I
tell kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water
every day, or if they spent some time playing with them. If the
animal has been left outside without shelter, I'll say, "You have a nice
house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog
can't do that. Don't you think he'd like a nice warm place to go
too". I now of families who watch Animal Precinct together, and
I think it can help children realize that animals are living creatures
who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. You can see
these emotions on the faces of the animals on the show.
10. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization.
Before I even knew that police for animals existed, I was volunteering
at an animal shelter. It's a great way to make a
difference. Some of our ASPCA volunteers foster animals who have
been abused in their former homes, giving these dogs and cats the
chance they deserve to have a good life.
You can save a live.
Be part of the solution and
help stop animal cruelty
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