Hoarding
Report Cruelty to Animals
What
To Do If You Spot Animal Abuse
If you think that an animal is being abused or neglected, it is
important that you do something about it. Your involvement may be
the animal’s only hope.
Where to Start
First, find out which agency is responsible for investigating and
enforcing the anti-cruelty laws in your state, county, or town.
This may be a local humane society or SPCA (Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or a taxpayer-funded animal
shelter (animal control). In jurisdictions without a humane society
or animal-management department, citizens can call upon the police
or sheriff’s department to enforce the law.
If the animal victim is not in immediate need of rescue, check
state and local animal-protection laws by visiting your local
library or city hall or by conducting an online search. Print out a
copy of any laws that you believe are being violated, and be ready
to cite these laws to authorities. In most states, causing an
animal “unnecessary suffering” is illegal. That term can include
everything from beating an animal to depriving him or her of clean
water, food, or shelter.
If the animal is in a life-threatening situation, call authorities
immediately. Follow up with them in a timely manner to determine
their findings and course of action. If they do not respond right
away, call PETA.
Gathering Evidence
Once you have determined which law-enforcement agency to contact
(and ensured that the animal is not in imminent danger), provide
authorities with a short, concise, factual, written statement,
detailing the key points of what you have observed and giving
dates, locations, and approximate times. Timely fact-gathering is
crucial—the more time that passes, the greater the risk that
specifics will be forgotten, witnesses will move, evidence will
disappear, injuries will heal, etc. If you can, take pictures and
date them; photographic or videotaped evidence fortifies your case,
and short, factual, written statements from other witnesses will
back up your observations.
Always keep a record of everyone you contact (official or
otherwise), the dates of the contacts, and the content and outcome
of your discussions. Never pass on a letter, photograph, or any
documentation without first creating a copy for your file. Make it
crystal clear to authorities that you wish to pursue this case and
are willing to lend your assistance if necessary, and be sure to
follow up! If you stay involved, they’re more likely to do the
same.
Law-enforcement officials should inspect the animal visually, and
if possible, conduct a hands-on field exam (referred to as
“palpating” the animal) in order to find injuries or an otherwise
unhealthy physical condition that may be obscured by the victim’s
fur. Officials will often be fooled by a dog who “acts happy,” but
manic or social behavior does not mean that the animal is safe; he
or she may just be anxious to please or desperate for attention. A
more thorough examination is necessary, and an injured or clearly
endangered animal
must not be left behind.
The crime scene should also be thoroughly inspected for any
indication that abuse has occurred. Suspects and neighbors
(potential witnesses) should be interviewed. If the investigator
agrees that your complaint has merit, a warning may be issued,
charges filed, a warrant served, and/or the animal(s)
removed.
Pursuing Your Case
Persistence has saved countless animals from abusive people. If you
are unable to get satisfaction from law-enforcement officers, go
straight to their supervisors. If necessary, appeal to local
government officials, such as the mayor, prosecutor, city council
members, or county commissioners. A simple call to the media (TV
and print) in your area can move mountains. News coverage often
forces officials to act and can also scare the abuser into stopping
the cruel behavior. News coverage may also inspire viewers who have
seen similar acts to step forward and share their own
accounts.
If you have personally witnessed an act of cruelty, you can go to
your local magistrate or police commissioner and swear out a
warrant to summon the abuser to court. Expert witnesses can be very
helpful—a veterinarian, for example, can sign a statement that it
is his or her “expert opinion” that a dog suffers if swung by a
leash, deprived of food, etc. If you know a sympathetic
veterinarian, seek his or her assistance, and let officials know
that you have expert support.
Call PETA for Help
Advocating for abused or neglected animals can be difficult and
heart-wrenching, but they are depending on you to find the strength
to take action. You are in the position to make all the difference
in the world for the animals in your community. Please feel free to
contact PETA if you need guidance or support, or if officials fail
to respond quickly to your complaint.
You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from
cruelty and neglect.
Forward this to friends.
* . * . *
Betrayal
of Trust
Do you know what happens
in your vet’s back room?
An
8-point plan to protect your animal companion
When
choosing a veterinarian, be brave—
your animal is depending on it.
Veterinarian
Theodore Deppner,with the Washington Humane
Society,offers this advice:
1
Ask to see a copy of the vet’s license. This should be posted in
the
public area of the clinic.
2
Ask for a tour of the clinic; if you are refused,take your
animal
elsewhere. The clinic should be clean and orderly. Animals should
be
comfortably housed in clean cages or kennels.
3
Observe your animal. Is your companion handshy around the
vet,as
though expecting a blow? Does he or she cower or urinate when
the
vet enters the room?
4
Observe the veterinarian. Is he or she nervous or irritable? Does
he
or she go into the back room for even simple procedures? Are
the
technicians rough when handling your animal?
5
ALWAYS exercise your right to be with your animal at all times! If
the vet
or vet tech wants to take your companion to another room, insist
on
going with him or her. If the vet refuses,don’t hesitate—take your
animal and
leave.
6
If your animal must stay overnight (and always question this),
make
sure someone is going to be there to monitor him or her at all
times.
7
Ask questions. A good vet should explain what he or she is doing
at
all times and why.
8
For anything major, seek a second and third opinion. You are
entitled to copies of your companion’s medical records and
x-rays.
If you believe an animal has been mistreated, take him or her
to
another vet for a thorough examination. If you have evidence
of
malpractice, you can file a complaint with the veterinary
licensing
board in your area. For outright cruelty,contact local law
enforcement.Keep records,and take photos.
5/03
* . * . *
Beware of Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming
Incidents
The difficulty in coping when a companion animal suffers from an
injury—or death—is compounded when you suspect that negligence or
abuse by your veterinarian may be to blame. You can help protect
your animal before tragedy strikes by seeking out a skilled and
caring veterinarian (ask for references from trusted friends and
humane organizations and call the local Better Business Bureau,
Chamber of Commerce, and State Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners to check for complaints); seeking a second or third
opinion about your animal’s diagnosis before proceeding with
surgery or treatment; and carefully monitoring your animal’s stay
and treatment at the veterinary clinic. Never hesitate to ask
questions about your animal’s treatment and never leave your animal
overnight at a veterinary hospital unless you are convinced you
must.
If your animal companion does become sick or injured while at a
veterinary clinic, immediately take your animal to another
veterinarian for a second opinion and treatment. Ask for copies of
your animal’s medical records from the original veterinarian and
show these to the second veterinarian. If your animal dies, have
the body necropsied to determine the cause of
death.
When
You Suspect Malpractice
There
are several steps you can take when you suspect that veterinary
malpractice has led to your companion animal’s injury, sickness, or
death.
First, send a concise, accurate, and factual written complaint
(what happened, when, and where) to your state veterinary licensing
board, asking for an investigation and response. Follow up your
written complaint by telephoning the licensing board. You should
also submit a complaint to your local veterinary medical
association, asking for an investigation. (Any veterinary clinic
should be able to provide you with addresses for the state
licensing board and veterinary medical association, or look in the
phone book under state agencies.) File copies of your complaints
with the Better Business Bureau, local and state Consumer Affairs
offices, and local SPCAs as well.
You can also file a small claims suit against the veterinarian by
filling out a form and paying a small fee at your local courthouse.
You are responsible for presenting your own case in small claims
court, so be sure to have copies of all your animal’s medical
records (including the results of the necropsy, if performed),
statements from other veterinarians who examined your animal once
you suspected negligence, and copies of your veterinary bills.
Although small claims courts award only "out-of-pocket" expenses,
the attention generated by your case may be enough to prevent a
veterinarian from acting irresponsibly in the future.
You can also hire a lawyer and bring a malpractice lawsuit against
the veterinarian or negotiate a settlement. As with a small claims
suit, you will need documentation to back up your case, including
statements from "expert witnesses" (such as veterinarians,
pathologists, and others with special professional knowledge of the
issues under consideration). Unfortunately, you may find that many
lawyers hesitate to take on these cases because the potential for a
large monetary award is low. In most veterinary malpractice cases,
awards are limited to the costs incurred, plus the cost of
replacing a companion animal with an animal of similar value. Some
state courts, however, are beginning to acknowledge the unique
nature of the bond shared by humans and their companion animals,
and these courts also permit the recovery of "reasonable
sentimental value" in some instances. California, Connecticut,
Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey are among the states where recent
veterinary negligence cases prompted judges and juries to assess
the value of companion animals beyond their “property value.”
To find a good attorney, ask for a recommendation from the local
bar association. Regardless of what action you decide to take,
consider contacting local newspapers and television stations. Your
story could help protect other animals from
harm.
Grooming
Accidents
Animals
have been seriously injured or killed at grooming salons. Some
suffer from heat exhaustion as a result of being left unattended in
front of dryers, and others are the victims of other types of
neglect. In 2002, a chow was hanged to death at a Utah PETCO store
when, left alone, she tried to jump out of a grooming
tub.1
The best way to prevent accidents is by taking precautions and
doing research. If you must leave your companion animal at a
grooming salon, do the following things to ensure his or her
safety:
Check to see whether the groomer you are considering is a member of
any trade organizations. Although groomers are not required to be
licensed, association with groups like the National Dog Groomers
Association often indicates professionalism. Evidence of
participation in industry seminars is also a good sign.
Find a groomer with experience. Groomers who have many years of
experience in working with animals will be more confident in their
skills and limitations and should be more comfortable with animal
behavior. Any reputable grooming salon should have at least one
veteran groomer on staff.
Request references from other clients.
Consider a groomer who makes house calls so that both your animal
companion and the groomer are under your supervision.
Another option is to learn how to groom your animal friend
yourself. Regular bathing, brushing, and clipping help you to build
rapport and trust with your animal companion while keeping him or
her looking and feeling healthy. A good grooming routine should
include the following:
Brushing
Brushing
removes dirt and dead hair, stimulates circulation, distributes
natural oils throughout the coat, and provides a fantastic bonding
opportunity for you and your animal companion.
A thorough examination of the body and skin
Regularly checking for
lumps, parasites, wounds, and other abnormalities is a great way to
catch potential medical problems before they become serious.
An inspection of the ears
Check for unusual odors or inflamed skin,
either of which could indicate the presence of infection or
mites.
Toenail clipping
Overgrown nails can lead to injuries of the
foot-pad, walking difficulties, and elongated blood vessels in the
nails. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to trim nails.
When trimming your companion’s nails, check for cuts or foreign
matter between the toes.
Dental care
Use toothpaste that is especially formulated for dogs
and cats. If your companion doesn’t like you to use a toothbrush on
his or her teeth, try wrapping some gauze around your finger
instead.
Baths
Depending on your animal friend’s breed and activities, baths
may or may not be necessary. If you do bathe him or her, use
lukewarm water, rinse well, and consider putting cotton in his or
her ears to prevent water from getting in and promoting
infection.
You
can help prevent grooming accidents by contacting your local and
state representatives and pushing for stronger regulations on the
grooming industry. Laws that require that groomers use only dryers
that must be reset after a period of time rather than those that
reset without a break, laws that set time limits on tethering and
standards on the types of tethers that may be used, and laws that
prohibit the use of sedatives or tranquilizers are the type of
legislation that can save lives and prevent tragic accidents.
If your animal becomes injured at a grooming salon, you can file a
small claims suit or lawsuit against the groomer or salon, and
remember that a story about your animal’s injuries on a local
television station or in the newspaper can help prevent future
tragedies. Public awareness is a powerful tool.
References
1)Tad Walch, “Woman’s Suit Against PETCO Seeks to Test Value of
Pet’s Life,”
The Daily Herald,
17 Nov. 2002.
You
can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and
neglect.
Forward
this to friends.
