Can anyone tell me the stipulations of animal cruelty with dogs being kept outside?
Our (awful) neighbors have acquired a puppy. It’s about 6 weeks old, they haven’t gotten it shots and it definitely has worms. They leave it outside all the time. It never goes in and has a generic pet carrier as it’s shelter. It eats trash off their back porch (which then blows into our yard.) I just discovered this morning that they have been leaving him out there in the midst of all the severe thunderstorms/tornadoes we have had here in Indiana. Can I report them for animal cruelty? I think because they have provided him with some sort of shelter the authorities might not do anything about it.
Please help. I have two dogs of my own, can’t have another one, and even if I did take him, they would obviously know it was me since I live next door.
P.S. If I can report them, who do I report them to? I don’t think it’s animal control.
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5 comments
Jenna on May 10, 2010 at 2:13 am
In most areas you do report to your closest animal control. However, you can call your local police at the non-emergency number to find out where to report neglect in your area.
It still would not be considered abuse, but, rather it would be classified as neglect.
The law in Indiana stipulates that the shelter must protect from rain, snow and sun. SO, if it’s a standard carrier with slats, then it wouldn’t technically be protection from rain or snow..
If you can take pictures, that would be good so that they can evaluate it somewhat before coming out.
While they wouldn’t be able to take away the puppy for that, a lot of the time neglect is more due to ignorance of appropriate animal care rather then intention to cause harm. If the owners find that they could get in trouble for keeping him out there, they may just surrender him to avoid the hassle OR maybe even decide to keep him inside..
petsnakes on May 10, 2010 at 2:13 am
Just call your local police and they’ll direct you to the right people. Let whomever the police direct you to determine if it is a reportable situation that warrants them intervening. Just do your part.
Ista on May 10, 2010 at 2:13 am
The dog has to have adequate shelter, as well as food and water at all times available. If they haven’t met these requirements you can call your local humane society or animal control to find out what steps to take to help the poor pup.
Lavender on May 10, 2010 at 2:13 am
you definitely should call someone about it. that sounds terrible. if the authorities don’t do anything i reckon you should kidnap it and see if you can give it to someone you know or last resort – an animal shelter.
every time i hear a story like this i imagine my own dog in that situation and it makes me so upset. every dogs life has value and deserves a proper chance at life.
icq694u on May 10, 2010 at 2:13 am
googled it and there is a view things you can look at here,
http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/in_cruel.htm
Sec. 7. A person having a vertebrate animal in the person’s custody who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects the animal commits cruelty to an animal, a Class B misdemeanor
so i dont know what to tell ya they may get a fine but it looks like it will just be writtin off : /