Animal abuse

What Constitutes Animal Cruelty?

Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Examples include overt abuse, dog fighting and cock fighting, and companion animals being neglected or denied basic necessities of care, such as food, water or shelter. ARFS works daily to educate the people about how to care for their companion animals and how they can prevent animal cruelty.

Many people who witness, or hear about cruelty, are not aware that legal action can be taken to help stop the problem. These laws may be confusing to people who want to help animals in distress and are not clear on what constitutes animal cruelty.

Generally, animal cruelty can be divided into two categories: neglect and intentional cruelty:

• Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the animal owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation.

1. If the problem is not corrected, the animal may be removed from the neglectful person by law enforcement authorities.
2. In some cases, the owner will simply turn the animal over to authorities because they no longer want the responsibility.

• Intentional cruelty is often more shocking and usually an indicator of a serious human behavior problem. Intentional cruelty is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal.

1. Organizations in the US with cruelty Investigation authority have arrested many individuals, who have deliberately maimed, tortured or even killed animals.
2. Although many individuals are arrested fог intentional cruelty, people who commit even the most heinous crimes against animals are often not prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
3. Someone who is violent towards animals may be violent towards family members or other people.

How Can People report Animal Cruelty?

If someone witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place, they can report it to us. They may choose to submit their report anonymously. All reports will be reviewed by our investigative team.

They can also report an animal cruelty by using Animal Cruelty Fact Sheet and Anonymous Report Form here