What to do if you Witness Animal Cruelty
For most people, pets are part of the family. As such, they are loved and cared for and often even pampered. But for others, animals are not rated with the same attention and devotion. You may see an animal being abused or neglected and not know what to do. Report animal cruelty through your local police department and animal welfare group. We share more details below.
What is Animal Cruelty
What may seem horrific for the average person may not actually fit what is legally considered animal cruelty. The law does include some vagueness to cover neglect and harm. See the definition of cruelty to animals in Texas at the SPCA website.
The owner is most likely to be the abuser. However, the statute also includes language for others who harm an animal. Recent stories about pets in certain areas of Houston being poisoned raise the question of the illegality of that. Administering poison to an animal or killing or otherwise causing bodily injury to another person’s pet are all illegal in Texas.
Signs of Animal Cruelty
Witnessing actual violence against an animal indicates an environment in need of reporting. Unfortunately, some animal cruelty may not be as obvious. If you suspect an animal is in trouble, look for these signs.
- Unusual behavior – The animal may be overly aggressive. Or it may be extremely shy or attempt to hide. If you notice this, especially if the behavior is different when the owner is there, escalate your concerns.
- Injuries – Check if the animal limps or has open wounds or sores. These are signs of cruelty. In addition to the possibility of physical abuse by the owner, it could indicate the animal is used for fighting or as a bait animal.
- Neglect – If the animal has matted fur, is infested with fleas or is obviously underweight, it is likely being neglected.
- Living conditions – Animals must be provided adequate shelter, food and water. Obviously, an animal left outside all the time, even in extreme weather conditions, is at risk. They also need regular access to food and drink.
- Confinement – Animals that are tethered or caged in a space too small for them to stand up or turn around should be reported.
- Abandonment – If owners have moved away and the pets were left at the property, they need to be rescued before they suffer from starvation or exposure.
- Large number of animals – Animal hoarding is a real concern. The funny stories about the neighborhood cat lady stop being funny if there aren’t enough resources to care for all the cats. Of course, having many pets isn’t necessarily a sign of hoarding. But if other signs of neglect are present, it may be time to bring in the authorities.
Reporting Animal Cruelty
It is difficult to make the decision to report suspected cruelty. If you are wrong, then you could be hurting a family or their situation. Also, if it is a neighbor, they may know it was you and that can harm the relationship.
If you are witnessing ongoing issues, be sure to keep track of dates, times, specific details and, if possible, footage and photographs from a cell phone.
Animal Cruelty is a criminal act and should be reported to law enforcement. Never try to handle the issue with the abuser yourself. Call your local police department to provide the information/photos you have collected. If you witness direct violence against an animal, call 911 to get help right away.
You can also contact your local animal protection agency or shelters to report abuse. In Houston, you can report abuse to the local SPCA.
Getting involved may be challenging, but may be the only recourse for the suffering animals. They are at the mercy of their owners or circumstances. Sometimes a caring neighbor can be the difference between life and death.
