Animal cruelty is illegal in every state. Anyone who sees it or even thinks they see it, should report it so police can investigate it. But what happens when you call animal control on your neighbor? We’ll answer that question, provide some information on steps you should take before calling animal control, and answer some questions about animal cruelty.
The Three Steps to Take Before Calling Animal Control
Before you call animal control, there are three steps you should take.
Talk to the neighbor.
They may feel bad already because their pet is creating a disturbance. Also, two minds can brainstorm better ideas for solving problems, and you might make a new friend.
Find out if you’re causing a problem for the pet.
The pet might be making noise because of something you’re doing. Try to find out the reason for the pet’s disturbance by referring to these potential issues and solutions:
Is the pet noisy at a certain time of day? If so, what are you doing then? Offer to do the activity when the neighbor walks the pet.
Does your neighbor’s pet hear or see your pet? If so, keep your pet out of your neighbor’s sight.
Do your kids play with your neighbor’s pet? Tell your children not to provoke the pet if this is the case.
There’s usually a reason pets are noisy. Is there anything wrong with the pet’s living conditions? Observe the animal’s health and appearance closely. They could be suffering from neglect or animal abuse.
Use a mediator.
If you cannot resolve the issue with your neighbor, find out who is responsible for neighborhood disputes. These people handle neighborhood disputes:
- Landlords
- Building managers
- Your local neighborhood association.
If such a person exists, explain the problem and ask for the best solution. If no one is in charge of neighbor disputes, check the house rules or local laws for recommendations on what to do.
When to Resort to Calling Animal Control
In most cases, you don’t want to call animal control without first trying to solve the problem independently. However, there are some instances where you should always call Animal Control. These are:
- If the pet seems ill or malnourished.
- The pet has poor living conditions.
- Despite your attempts to calmly resolve the issue, the owner has not responded.
- They don’t seem concerned about the trouble the pet is causing in the neighborhood.
If you notice any of these things, contact Animal Control right away.
What Happens When You Call Animal Control About a Neighbor?
- Officers will request a detailed explanation of the issue.
- If they consider your concern valid, they will alert your neighbor.
- If the problem continues, your neighbor will receive citations, which they can pay or challenge in court.
How to Contact Animal Control
Find your city or county’s animal control number online. Their website may give you additional information on ways you can contact animal control. For example, in North Carolina, you can contact the local animal control office directly or fill out a form if you know who’s performing animal cruelty.
What is considered animal cruelty?
When you intentionally harm, injure, or kill an animal you have committed animal cruelty. The cruelty can be intentional, such as kicking, stabbing, or shooting, or neglect, such as depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment. Animal fighting, where animals are trained or forced to attack each other in violent confrontations at the risk of grave injury or death, is another form of animal cruelty.
Should I report cruelty to animals if I suspect it but don’t have proof?
Definitely. Every state considers animal abuse a felony, and some acts of animal cruelty are unlawful. You must report any illegal activity, whether animal cruelty, domestic violence, or any other crime.
You do not need to prove your claim. A law enforcement officer’s job is to investigate suspicious activities. Even if it is not complete, your report is useful evidence that will help them determine the facts and the need for further action.
Whom should I call to report animal cruelty?
Because animal cruelty is a crime, you should contact local authorities when you suspect abuse. Call 911 immediately if you believe animal cruelty has occurred or will happen soon and think immediate action is necessary to prevent the animal’s death or severe injury.
You can file an animal cruelty report to the local police by calling their main number if the animal is not in immediate danger at the present time but has already been a victim of animal cruelty previously.
It’s also good to contact the local Humane Society or animal services agency. Sometimes, these agencies work with the police or sheriff’s department. But in emergencies, please call 911 first.
Can I file a complaint anonymously?
You can stay anonymous. However, the likelihood of your successful case increases if you provide details about yourself and testify, if necessary. There aren’t enough law enforcement officers or funding to handle every animal cruelty case, so there’s a better chance of a reported crime being investigated if the complainant provides their name and says they’re willing to help. Law enforcement officers should keep your information strictly confidential.
That’s what you need to know about what happens when you call animal control on a neighbor. Before you call animal control on a neighbor, try the steps listed in the first part of this article. If they don’t work, go ahead and call animal control.
When you call animal control, remember you can call anonymously, but your call is more likely to result in a successful outcome if you’re willing to give your name. It won’t be shared with the person you report but will allow Animal Control to contact you if they need more information as the case progresses.
We hope you are now well informed as to what happens when you call animal control on a neighbor.