How to Report Animal Cruelty (and Why It Actually Matters)
Most people think animal cruelty is rare. It isn’t.
It’s just underreported, under-investigated, and often ignored.
Every day across the U.S., animals are abused, neglected, starved, abandoned, or used in cruelty cases that never make the news and never see justice. Not because laws don’t exist, but because they aren’t enforced unless someone speaks up.
If you’ve ever witnessed something that didn’t feel right and wondered:
Is this really abuse?
Who do I even call?
Will anything actually happen?
This guide is for you.
What Counts as Animal Cruelty?
While laws vary by state, animal cruelty generally includes:
Neglect
No food or water
No shelter in extreme heat/cold
Severe matting, untreated injuries, visible illness
Animals confined in filth or cages for long periods
Abuse
Hitting, kicking, beating
Intentional injury or killing
Dog fighting / cockfighting
Hoarding situations
Abandonment
Dumping animals
Leaving pets behind when moving
Tying dogs up long-term with no care
If an animal is suffering, unsafe, or being treated as disposable, it’s worth reporting.
Step 1: Document What You See (Safely)
You do not need to investigate. You just need to observe and document.
If it’s safe:
Take photos or videos
Write down the address
Note dates, times, patterns
Describe behavior or conditions
Do not trespass or put yourself at risk.
Your role is witness, not vigilante.
Step 2: Who to Contact
You can report to more than one agency at the same time.
1. Animal Control / Local Animal Services
Neglect
Tethering
Hoarding
Unsafe living conditions
2. Police (Non-Emergency or Emergency)
Active abuse
Violence in progress
Animal fighting
Immediate danger
3. District Attorney (DA)
This is the most overlooked step and the most powerful.
DA offices decide:
Whether cases are prosecuted
Whether charges are filed
Whether cruelty is taken seriously
Most people never contact the DA. That’s why so many cases die quietly.
Step 3: Be Persistent (This Is the Part That Matters)
Many cruelty cases fail because no one follows up.
Agencies are overwhelmed. Cases get closed. Files get lost.
Not always out of malice, but almost always due to lack of pressure.
Following up:
Forces accountability
Creates a paper trail
Makes it harder to ignore
You are not being annoying.
You are the reason the case exists at all.
Why Reporting Matters (Even When It Feels Pointless)
Animal cruelty is strongly linked to:
Domestic violence
Child abuse
Elder abuse
Violent crime
When cruelty goes unchecked, it escalates.
Reporting doesn’t just protect animals — it protects communities.
And when people stop reporting because they think “nothing will happen,”
that’s exactly when abuse thrives.
If You’re Unsure — Report Anyway
You do not need to prove abuse.
You do not need to be 100% certain
Your job is to report concerns.
Their job is to investigate.
Silence helps abusers.
Speaking up gives animals a chance.
Generic Email Template
People can send this to:
Animal Control
Local Police Department
District Attorney’s Office
(Encourage them to CC all three.)
Subject
Animal Cruelty Report – Request for InvestigationAnimal Cruelty Report – Request for Investigation
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally report a case of suspected animal cruelty/neglect and request that it be investigated.
Location of incident:
[Full address or nearest cross streets]
Description of concern:
[Brief, factual description of what you observed — conditions, behavior, frequency, number of animals, etc.]
Dates and times observed:
[When this occurred or how long it has been ongoing]
Evidence available:
[Photos/videos/witnesses if applicable]
I understand that investigations take time, but I am requesting confirmation that this report has been received and documented, and that appropriate steps will be taken to assess the welfare of the animal(s) involved.
If this falls under another department’s jurisdiction, I ask that it be forwarded accordingly.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your role in protecting animals and the community.
Sincerely,
Andrea Warren
Animal Defenders Alliance
[Your phone/email if comfortable]
At Animal Defenders Alliance, we believe education + accountability saves lives.
If you’ve reported cruelty and hit a wall, or need help figuring out next steps, reach out. You’re not alone, and neither are the animals.
