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.
