About Animal Abuse and How to Report It

Animal abuse, or animal cruelty, is any behavior that inflicts pain or injury onto the animal. It can be further broken down into passive abuse (neglect) or active abuse (intentional cruelty).

Animal cruelty is a lot more extensive than just physical abuse, making it sometimes go undetected. Learning about animal abuse and how to determine what is/isn’t abuse is crucial. Reporting animal cruelty may help save a life.

Passive abuse includes behaviors that fall along the lines of neglect. Examples of passive abuse include starvation, dehydration, hoarding, and failure to seek necessary veterinary care.

This type of abuse can be intentional or it can result from a lack of understanding how to properly care for animals. Regardless of whether or not it was intentional, this type of abuse can be very harmful to the animal

Active abuse is the purposeful infliction of injury onto an animal. This can include everything from beating or kicking an animal, to organized cruelty such as dogfights.

Active animal abuse is often linked to serious psychological issues; therefore, reporting animal cruelty will often lead to helping more than just the animal.

It is not possible to recognize animal cruelty based solely on an animal’s behavior. A dog with past trauma may be aggressive towards other dogs or naturally fearful of strangers, but this does not necessarily mean that its current owner is abusive. When reporting animal cruelty, it is important to analyze both the animal and its surroundings is it possible to identify cases of abuse.

An animal that resides mainly outside is not automatically considered a victim of animal abuse. For example, if a dog is kept outside but has fresh food and water, adequate shelter, and overall sanitary conditions, this is not considered animal abuse. On the other hand, if the dog is tied up, its collar is growing into the skin, lives in an unsanitary environment (ground covered in feces or glass), and has no access to fresh food or water, then this is a case of abuse.

In certain cases it is easy to spot abuse, in others there are signs of neglect that build up over time. Here are some common signs that an animal is abused:

• Untreated skin conditions (such as mange)
• Dehydration or starvation (animal will appear emaciated)
• Flea or tick infestation
• Excessive matting or overgrown nails
• Multiple animals living in overcrowded cages
• Unsafe environment and/or no access to clean or water
• Active abuse such as kicking, beating, or choking the animal
• Consistent new wounds on the animal and/or many healed wounds

In all cases, it is the job of investigators to look into reports. Never put yourself in danger. Even if you think the abuse may stem from ignorance of proper animal care, it is the job of investigators to educate and determine whether abuse is happening.

1. Compile a concise written statement, including dates and times of witnessed abuse.
2. Photograph the area and animal(s) in question if possible. Under no circumstances should you trespass or put yourself in danger.
3. If possible, include names and contact information of witnesses.  Alternatively, file a report anonymously.

1. Compile a concise written statement, including dates and times of witnessed abuse.
2. Photograph the area and animal(s) in question if possible. Under no circumstances should you trespass or put yourself in danger.
3. If possible, include names and contact information of witnesses.  Alternatively, file a report anonymously.

A report can be filed through the local non-emergency law enforcement agency. The local humane society or animal control agency can also be contacted.

If you live in New York City, call 311 to be directed to the correct government agency.

If an animal is in immediate danger, call the police (911).

Even if you are unsure of whether or not abuse is happening, it is better to contact law enforcement and make an inquiry. Discussing the situation with law enforcement will help determine if reporting animal cruelty is necessary in the situation.

Animal abuse laws vary immensely. The best way to report animal abuse is by contacting local law enforcement as procedures vary by county

These are hotlines that can be contacted nationwide and will help direct the report to the correct department.

• Washington Humane Society Animal Cruelty Hotline: 202-723-5730
• PETA Animal Cruelty Hotline: 757-622-7382
  • Type: for animals in immediate danger and police are unresponsive.
• Humane Society of the United States Dog-Fighting Hotline: 1-877-TIP-HSUS
  • Type: for reporting dog-fights or cock-fights
• Humane Society of the United States Puppy Mill Tip Line: 1-877-645-5847
• WeTip Hotline: 1-800-78-CRIME
  • National tip hotline for all crimes, including animal abuse.