Signs of Animal Cruelty
If you witness any act of abuse, neglect, or cruelty against an animal, it is your moral responsibility to report it to local law enforcement. If you fear reprisal, you may report abuse anonymously. How do you know if an animal is being abused? Below is a list of animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty signs.
- Noticeable trauma. Pay close attention to how the animal looks. Does the animal have a dirty coat, open sores, wounds, or fleas? Does the animal appear underweight with visible bones? They are obviously in physical distress and need of veterinary care.
- Lack of food or water. Animals may be aggressive due to starvation and thirst. If you see an animal with no food and water sources, it may be experiencing neglect.
- Lack of shelter. Pay attention to the area where the animal is contained in. The animal may be contained in an area largely or entirely exposed to inclement weather or constant sun.
- Abandoned. The animal is left in a house, yard, or another area that appears empty or devoid of normal human activity. Unfortunately, reports of companion animals abandoned and left to die inside vacant buildings are common.
- Acts of violence. An owner or any person is overtly violent against the animal, striking or throwing objects at it, or physically abusing it. Keep in mind that there is no violence against an animal that is justified.
One of the worst things you can do is witness or suspect animal cruelty and do nothing about it. While you may remain anonymous, the legal case will be much stronger if you are willing to identify and testify to what you witnessed. Be the animal’s voice and get it out of the abuse immediately.
