Animal Cruelty and Neglect
Animal cruelty is when someone hurts an animal or doesn’t care for an animal responsibly, like not giving a dog or cat food and water.
Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. It is against the law to be cruel to or harm animals, even your own pets. It’s also called animal abuse, or neglect.
What is Animal neglect?
Neglect makes up the vast majority of cruelty cases that animal control officers respond to. Animal neglect takes many forms, including:
- Hoarding behavior often victimizes animals. Sufferers of a hoarding disorder may impose severe neglect on animals by housing far more than they are able to adequately take care of.
- Lack of veterinary care: Untreated wounds are a red flag that demand immediate attention; emaciation, scabs and hair loss can also be a sign of untreated diseases.
- Inadequate shelter, especially in extreme heat or cold temperatures, can be deadly.
- Chained dogs who are tethered continuously suffer tremendously, both from social isolation and exposure to predators and the elements.
- Abandonment: A startling number of animals die every year when people move out of their residences and simply leave the animals behind. Sometimes, an abandoned dog’s barking or cat’s howling can alert the neighbors, but it’s wise to keep an eye on a recently vacated home, especially if the former residents moved suddenly.
What should you do about it?
Take action!!!
Why should I report animal abuse?
People who abuse animals are more likely to hurt other people.
This is why it’s so important to report animal abuse.
Not only will you help the animal, but you will help your community be a safer place for everyone.