Pets can be abused, or neglected, intentionally or out of owner ignorance. Sometimes it is the result of the owner being overwhelmed and not knowing who to turn to for help, or being ashamed and not wanting to ask for help.
Abuse is when an animal is physically hurt, such as being kicked or tortured. Neglect involves withholding of food and/or proper care. Both are serious problems that could lead to the animals death. Both are crimes in most areas and should be reported.
Firstly a person who suspects animal abuse should make notes of when, where, and whom. The abuser might be a friend, neighbor, relative, or stranger. Other abuse situations are when an animal is in a public place, such as a zoo or pet store. It is important to have all the facts written down because if the abuse continues you will want to know when it started and have facts to back yourself up.
What Constitutes Abuse
Different areas have different laws regarding what is considered abuse or neglect. To be sure you have to make the call and report what the situation and let the authorities decide if what you are referring to amounts to abuse or neglect. Abuse is usually pretty clear, neglect can be a fuzzy area.
Some Examples of Abuse or Neglect:
- Starving Animals.
- Animals (cats, dogs) caged all the time.
- Horses with grossly overgrown hooves.
- Dogs with painful mats in their hair.
- Animals (even some farm animals) without shelter or water.
- Animals tied on short chains, or ropes.
- Animals with untreated injuries.
- Pets being kicked.
- Animals being teased.
- Animals kept in filthy, and over crowded, cages.
- Animals with fleas, earmites, untreated.
- Pet hoarders.
- Animals being used in fighting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyklo/2952130208/
Make the Call
Finding out who to call can be tricky if you are unsure. In some areas it is the local police or by-law enforcement that deal with animal complaints. Usually though it is the SPCA, ASPCA, or RSPCA, according to what country a person lives in. If these groups exist in your area, or you have a Humane Society or other animal rescue group, that is often the best place to call. If they do not handle the problem they will know who will.
If you still cannot find out who to call in your area, call a veterinarian. In some areas it is the vet who deals with complaints and who has a legal ability to check into problems. They can also access an animals condition.
Your name will not be revealed to the abuser however it is a good idea to leave your name and phone number. This is because if the investigator cannot find the house, or is unsure they got the right animal, they can contact you to verify. Also they may want to call you back just to let you know what is going on and to thank you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amazoncares/83761580/
Warning
DO NOT fabricate or exaggerate stories of abuse and neglect. This makes you lose credit and wastes the investigators time when they could be checking out real problems. Also it makes it hard to investigate further complaints on the same person or group.
DO NOT take matters into your own hands with a hostile individual. If the person is approachable you might try talking him/her into letting you help as they may not know what to do, but never attempt to rescue pets from another persons property without their permission. This is theft.
Related Reading
How Good of a Pet Owner are You? Quiz
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Liked it
ken bultman
On March 8, 2010 at 11:48 am
Well done…easy to read and understand. The calls often need to be made. In my county too many people understand too late how much a horse needs to eat.
Sotiris
On March 8, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I don’t like people who abuse animals. They have lives too and it’s so cruel to abuse them.
Nice article
Jenny Heart
On March 8, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Animals should be respected the same as everything else created in this world. Nicely done!
Karen Gross
On March 8, 2010 at 10:18 pm
You have such a heart for the animals. Great article. Very sad pictures.
sambhafusia
On March 9, 2010 at 1:09 am
Great write well done..
standingproud
On March 9, 2010 at 2:52 am
I know it is bloody shocking how one could do this to a dependent animal.
when, where, and whom, written proof, may be even photo’s.
How helpful and clear this is thank you Brenda
Darla Cooke
On March 9, 2010 at 8:44 am
A well written and very informative article. Thanks for sharing.
martie
On March 9, 2010 at 9:28 am
The only thing I stole in my life was a dog that I saw someone beat. I was afraid by the time the police came to investigate it would already be dead.
albert1jemi
On March 10, 2010 at 9:52 am
excellent share
swatilohani
On March 11, 2010 at 3:20 am
excellent
Rod Ferrandino
On March 12, 2010 at 12:17 pm
This is one of thos great little pieces that will be a success if even one animal is saved from unnecessary suffering
teresa
On April 12, 2010 at 11:08 am
i love my puppy n seen dogs or kind of animal being hurt causes me pain as well. they rnt humans but they sure act like em so why not be treated as well as we treat human.
Aston
On May 9, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I can’t believe how people can do this to animals. My puppy is part of my life and i can’t imagine things like this happening to my puppy.
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On May 9, 2011 at 4:41 pm
What a wonderful article. Animals deserve the same love kindness and respect as we would want. Very helpful how how to detect abuse and what to do. Thank you.
roopakumar
On May 10, 2011 at 6:57 am
Wow.Its really amazing blog.I love all animals.This provides great motivation to adopt any kind of pet .I must appreciate your great efforts on posting these information.Thanks for sharing.
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aisha lal
On May 10, 2011 at 7:55 am
Thanks for sharing such a nice blog on animal abuse and protection against it.
Andry
On May 18, 2011 at 9:36 am
I have 2 pet dogs and I really hate when dogs got hurt or abused!! Will definitely report if I found / suspect any pet abuse. Thanks for the info
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On May 21, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Very well written blog. Those images are hard to look at.
Canary Singing CD
On May 21, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Very well written blog. Thos images are very hard to look at.
PuppyForSale
On June 2, 2011 at 9:07 am
That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
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PetDoggies
On June 20, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Omg! What happened to the dog in the picture above???? Thanks for such great info! I do love dogs too!
Soni
On June 30, 2011 at 7:11 am
Great blog..its so simple and easy to understand …I hate animal abusers.very nice work.