If the situation you are reporting is an emergency and animals are in imminent danger, please call the local police department right away.
Do not use this form for emergencies - these reports are not monitored twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
It is possible to file an anonymous report, but please consider providing your information. The case is more likely to be pursued when there are credible witnesses willing to stand behind the report and, if necessary, testify in court.
How to Recognize Animal Cruelty (taken from the www.aspca.org website)
Click here to find the contact information for your local Animal Control Officer.
Physical signs of cruelty:
· Tight collar that has caused a neck wound or has become imbedded in the animal’s neck.
· Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds, or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated.
· Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes.
· Extreme thinness or emaciation – bones may be visible.
· Fur infested with fleas, ticks, or other parasites.
· Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails, and dirty coat.
· Weakness, limping, or the inability to stand or walk normally.
· Heavy discharge from eyes or nose.
· A person striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.
Environmental Signs of Cruelty:
· Pets are tied up outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary.
· Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter.
· Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass, or other objects that could harm them.
· Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around, and make normal movements.
For more information, please visit https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AI/Laws_and_Regulations.html.
How to Report Cruelty
Try to gather the following information before submitting a report of animal cruelty. Information you provide will be key to bringing offenders to justice.
· A concise, written, factual statement of what you observed – giving dates an approximate times whenever possible – to provide to law enforcement.
· Photographs of the location, the animals in question, and the surrounding area. NOTE: Do not put yourself in danger! Do not enter another person’s property without permission and exercise great caution around unfamiliar animals who may be frightened or in pain.
· If you can, provide law enforcement with the names and contact information of other people who have firsthand information about the situation.
The above information is only a guide. If you witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place, call your local police department or complete the form that follows.
By getting involved, you can make a difference.