Learn
More!
Cruelty
and Neglect Investigations
Sometimes
it is difficult just to listen to the voice mail each day, as our community's
citizens call in to report on pets they have seen hurt. A child shooting
a cat with a b-b gun...a man kicking a dog…someone setting a pet
on fire…someone throwing a pet out of a car window onto the highway…someone
who suspects a neighbor is raising pets as bait for dog fighting….these
are stories that tell us that perhaps our community is not as civilized
as it thinks it is.
Here's
the good news in this grim subject. Most of the time, the Society's
Cruelty Investigators really serve as educators. Most of the time, pet
owners just need to be taught, or reminded, about the proper way to
shelter and care for their companion animals. These owners mean well,
but perhaps were misinformed or misguided. Conversations, education
and follow-up by SPCA staff most often will direct the owners to provide
the appropriate level of care for their pets.
But on
days when mere education is worse than useless, the Cruelty Investigators
are there, working with Animal Services and law enforcement to bring
the pets to safety and the criminals to justice.
It's never
too early to identify this problem. Social scientists and law enforcement
agencies now recognize that cruelty to animals is a serous HUMAN problem,
closely linked to other violent crimes. Cruelty to animals is another
form of family violence, and pets are often the most likely recipients
of this violence.
To report
a suspected case of cruelty or neglect, or to better understand the
laws regarding animal cruelty and neglect, contact investigate@ohs-spca.org
or complete the online form.
