| Animal cruelty is common everywhere, even in | | | | cruelty. |
| places where it's prohibited. Although there may | | | | Report Animal Cruelty |
| be laws on animal cruelty, its not highly | | | | Know who to call when reporting animal cruelty. |
| implemented. Thus every year, there are several | | | | There are some states that have Humane Law |
| animals, including pets like cats and dogs, and wild | | | | Enforcement officers who can investigate and |
| animals, that are maltreated. | | | | arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty. In some |
| Animal cruelty can come in various forms. You | | | | towns, you may have to call the police |
| could have observed someone physically hurting | | | | department or local animal control. Know who to |
| an animal. Animal cruelty can also be in the form | | | | call. Also, when reporting an incident, make sure |
| of malnutrition when animal owners don't feed | | | | that you provide as much information possible. |
| their pets properly. Generally, what causes injury | | | | The details will mean a lot to the investigating |
| and suffering to an animal can be considered | | | | officer. Try writing down the type of cruelty |
| animal cruelty. | | | | you witnessed, who was involved, the date of |
| One way of fighting animal abuse is to report it as | | | | the incident, and where it happened. |
| soon as it is spotted. Here are some things you | | | | Do Some Proactive Steps to Fight Animal Cruelty |
| can do to prevent animal cruelty. | | | | Animal cruelty is a crime. Write or call your local |
| Be Aware | | | | law enforcement departments and tell them that |
| Keep your eyes and ears open. Your local | | | | investigating animal cruelty should be a main |
| humane society or animal shelter wouldn't know | | | | concern. Fight for the passage of strong |
| several instances of animal abuse without those | | | | anti-cruelty laws on federal, state or local levels. |
| concerned citizens who report cruelty in their | | | | Have signature petitions. Write letters to |
| neighborhood through phone calls. So, do your | | | | legislators. Stronger laws mean tougher penalties, |
| part and be on the look out for animals in your | | | | and punishment for animal cruelty should be |
| own neighborhood. This could be a possible | | | | harsher! Support your local animal rescue |
| indicator of neglect or abuse. | | | | organization or local shelter. Volunteer at animal |
| Learn to Distinguish Animal Cruelty | | | | shelters and rescue groups in your area. |
| Signs and Symptoms - There are signs and | | | | Lastly, set a good example for others. You can |
| symptoms observed in most abused animals. | | | | prevent animal cruelty and it starts within you. If |
| Watch out for wounds on the body, patches of | | | | you are a pet owner, make sure that you always |
| missing hair, extremely thin and starving animals, | | | | show your pets the love and care that they |
| limping and tick or flea infestations. An owner | | | | ought to have. Always provide food, fresh |
| who is physically abusing an animal is abusive. | | | | water, shelter and medical treatment if your pet |
| Dogs left chained in the yard and without access | | | | is sick. Have your animals spayed or neutered. |
| to food and water is a neglectful act. Animals hit | | | | Be a responsible pet owner. And to top it off, a |
| by a car and not taken to a veterinarian is also a | | | | lot of hugs and kisses won't hurt! |
| neglectful act. These are all forms of animal | | | | |