How to Report
If you think someone you know is abusing animals, please speak up. The best thing you can do is report your suspicions of cruelty to your local law enforcement agency, humane organization, animal control agency or taxpayer-funded animal shelter. - ASCPA
If you have witnessed a cruelty event call your local law enforcement – sheriff’s office or non-emergency municipal police number. Unless it is happening real-time, in front of you, then immediately call 911. This is intended for events that are happening right now. For general concerns regarding animal cruelty, abuse or neglect, contact your local animal control agency or rescue agency. Sometimes neglect is due to a pet owner not knowing any better, and an animal control officer can help with a little education. Like when a puppy grew up and the collar is too tight. Sometimes the neglect is because an owner just doesn’t care, and further measures are needed.
The steps for investigating animal abuse and cruelty cases are similar to investigating human cases of child abuse, elder abuse, etc. Domestic violence and animal abuse are related. Oftentimes if there is one form of abuse, the other is also occurring. Your local law enforcement or animal control agency should be contacted. Animal control officers work for a law enforcement agency. It may also be prudent to call a local rescue group who may have a relationship with or knowledge of the offender or a rapport with the animal control agency. They may be able to help with the information flow. If a report already exists, that would substantiate a pattern of behavior and not just an isolated, one-time event.
It is critical to have facts and evidence. Rumors and accusations without evidence will not be sufficient. EVIDENCE is critical. Some states require trained and certified animal cruelty investigators to be called out to examine and report on these cases. Wyoming does not have that requirement. Consequently, you will need to collect as much evidence as possible and hopefully maintain a connection with the investigating agency until the conclusion of the case. This will promote better results so that the case is not dropped. Animals are considered property in Wyoming and animal abuse related crimes are not considered top priority in the court system.
1.
Document the situation. Keep a log of what you have observed. This includes dates, times, location, and specific details. Provide names of individuals causing the injury or neglect. If they have been reported previously, indicate when and what happened with the case. For example, if you believe an animal is neglected without food and water, keep a log of when the animal is fed. Take pictures of empty water containers and food dishes, document the time photos were taken, and the period of time between feedings. Ask for other neighbors or friends to be witnesses as well. Failure to provide proper food and drink, or shelter for the weather conditions, is animal cruelty under W.S. 6-3-1002.
2.
Document the Animals Condition. Note any wounds, injuries, disease, or neglect that is not treated. It is important to also look at the hair coat and overall condition of animal, as well as, energy level of animal. Domestic violence and animal abuse are related. If you notice family members are not adequately cared for or you observe and hear fighting and abuse, keep note of this a well.
3.
Lack of Proper Shelter. In Wyoming the weather can be deadly – hot or freezing. It is against the law for an animal to have no shelter or inadequate shelter in extreme heat or cold. Document the situation with a cell phone or camera. For example, if a dog is chained outside with no shelter and warnings are issued for a “deep freeze” and that animals should be taken inside, report the incident if the owner does not protect the dog.
4.
Abandonment. Wyoming has a mobile population due to the energy industry with blue-collar workers and families living in man camps. There are outdoor recreationalists, and college and university students moving frequently. Unfortunately, when people move, they often leave their pets behind. It is important to keep track of people in the neighborhood moving out if they have pets. Too many pets are abandoned in rural areas and left to fend for themselves. Report abandoned pets to your local animal control, rescue or shelter.
5.
Document the Investigation. Maintain a log of who responds to the call to investigate the crime scene. Get their name, car number, and badge number. Record what happens during the investigation. Maintain a copy, or record of the information you provided to law enforcement. Report any further abuse to the animal after the investigator leaves the location. Always gather evidence!
6.
Investigation Follow-Up. Indicate to the investigating law enforcement officer that you want a status report and outcome of the case. If you do not hear back within a few days, call the law enforcement agency. Many people want to remain anonymous, and sometimes that is possible. However, animals need an advocate so don’t be afraid to speak up. Perhaps there are others who have your same concerns and may be able to add information when you report it.
Investigations & Animal Abuse
Training and education for our law enforcement officers, attorneys, and animal control/community service officers are the key to success. Proper training on conducting good investigations, coupled with stronger animal abuse laws, are ways Wyoming can change the attitude and behavior regarding animal abuse issues. Public involvement and education will also help raise the level of awareness of this crime. Experience, perceptions, and attitudes of the city, county, or state attorney are significant factors in prosecution or lack thereof.
Other Resources
Humane Society of the United States: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/report-animal-cruelty
ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org/take-action/report-animal-cruelty
Animal Legal Defense Fund: https://aldf.org/article/investigating-and-prosecuting-animal-abuse/
American Humane Association: https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/animal-abuse/
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/animal-cruelty-and-abuse-or-neglect
Definitions
Animal Cruelty
Animal Cruelty is defined as the mistreatment of animals that can result in death. The definition can also include abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment. As long as animals are defined as property, the value as living creatures will not be recognized.
Animal control
An office or department responsible for enforcing ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals. Animal control officers are employed by city and county governments to ensure the health and safety of both humans and animals while enforcing animal-related laws. Often officers work for the police or sheriff's department
Animal shelter
An animal shelter or pound is a place where stray, lost, abandoned or surrendered animals, mostly dogs and cats, and sometimes sick or wounded wildlife are kept and rehabilitated. They are often brought to the shelter by animal control officers or employees.
Animal Rescue
There are two major differences between shelters and rescue groups:
Shelters are usually run and funded by local governments. While some shelters place animals in foster homes, many are housed on-site in kennels. Shelters are often operated in conjunction with local animal control programs. Often, shelters have limits on the number of days an animal is maintained or housed before it is provided to a rescue group or euthanized.
Rescue groups are funded mainly by donations and most of the staff are volunteers and private citizens. An animal rescue group or animal rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused, or stray pets and attempt to find suitable homes for them.
Animal Sanctuary
An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her natural death.
Animal Foster Home
A rescue group does not have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs, cats, horses, and other companion animals until suitable homes are found.
Animal Trap Neuter Release Program
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is a type of program through which free-roaming cats are trapped, sterilized (males are castrated, and females undergo ova-hysterectomies), and returned to the outdoor locations where they were found. TNR is sometimes described as trap-neuter-release, changing the last word of the acronym.
Adoption
Pet adoption is the process of taking responsibility for a pet that a previous owner has abandoned or released to a shelter or rescue organization. Common sources for adoptable pets are animal shelters and rescue groups.
Animal Euthanasia
Animal euthanasia (euthanasia from Greek: €;u8avacria; "good death") is the act of putting an animal to death or allowing it to die by withholding extreme medical measures .... In domesticated animals, this process is commonly referred to by euphemisms such as "put down".
Animal Investigation
Animal abuse and animal cruelty cases, involving both living and deceased animals, introduced to the legal process due to the extreme nature of the facts. The facts and or evidence collected and documented involve the goal of prosecution of the individual(s) involved. The facts are presented to the county prosecuting attorney's office for consideration of criminal charges.
Animal Law Enforcement
Animal cops can be employed by law enforcement agencies or nonprofit organizations. Animal cop, or animal control officer, might take on alternative roles as a humane law enforcement officer (employed by the local animal control office or Humane Society).