Animal Cruelty http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/report-animal-cruelty/top-10-ways-to-prevent-animal-cruelty Here are some other signs and symptoms that we see in many of the cases we investigate: * Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal's death. * Wounds on the body. * Patches of missing hair. * Extremely thin, starving animals. * Limping. * An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal. * Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard. * Dogs who have been hit by cars-or are showing any of the signs listed above-and have not been taken to a veterinarian. * Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions. * Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners. 1. Know who to call to report animal cruelty. Every state and every town are different. In some areas, you may have to rely on the police department to investigate animal cruelty; in others, you may have to contact local animal control or another municipal agency. If you aren't sure where to report cruelty, please visit our Report Animal Cruelty section. 2. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly—a possible indicator of abuse. 3. Make the call. Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open. 4. Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting an investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place. 5. Contact your local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these crimes. 6. Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. With stronger laws come tougher penalties. As an ASPCA Advocacy Brigade member, you'll receive emails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws—and you can send them directly from our website. 7. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care they deserve. But it's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. And give your pets lots of hugs! 8. Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. We regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been reported. If a parent isn't treating the family's pet’s right, we tell the kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water every day or some daily playtime. If the animal has been left outside without shelter, we'll say, 'You have a nice house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog can't do that.' Children understand that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. 9. Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. It's a great way to make a difference. Some of our ASPCA volunteers foster animals who have been abused in their former homes, giving these dogs and cats the chance they deserve to have a good life. You can find a list of shelters and rescue groups in your area in our National Shelter Directory. 10. Start a Neighborhood Watch Program. Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors—abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.

http://www.ontariospca.ca/what-we-do/investigations/animal-cruelty-resources/what-is-animal-cruelty.html What is Animal Cruelty? |

Animal cruelty generally falls into two categories: neglect, or intentional cruelty. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate water, food, shelter, or necessary care. Examples of neglect include: starvation; dehydration; inadequate shelter; parasite infestations; failure to seek veterinary care when an animal is in need of medical attention; allowing a collar to grow into an animal's skin; confinement without adequate light, ventilation, space or in unsanitary conditions; and failure to trim hoofs or nails resulting in excessive growth (e.g. hoofs curling upwards). | |

How to recognize animal cruelty:

Look for these common signs of neglect or intentional cruelty witnessed by Ontario SPCA investigators: |  Wounds on the body. Severely overgrown nails (often curling under) or hooves (often curling upwards). Patches of missing hair. Extremely thin, starving animals with ribs or backbone protruding. Infected eyes that have been left untreated. Limping. Animals who are repeatedly left alone without food and water. Often they are chained up in a yard. Animals who have been hit by cars and have not received veterinary attention. Animals who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions. Tropical birds especially cannot tolerate cold temperatures. An owner kicking, hitting or physically abusing an animal. Animals who cower fearfully or act aggressively when their owners approach. Severe flea or tick infestations left untreated. Animals left in a car on a hot or cold day. Animals crammed into tiny cages in overcrowded conditions. Abandonment (often when pet owners move or by unprofitable farmers). Reptiles with dull, darkened skin, tremors, gaping mouth and excessive saliva, or experiencing difficulty climbing. Aquatic and amphibious creatures kept in tanks with murky water. Illegal trapping of wild animals or animals left for extended periods in traps. Excessive scratching of the head area, shaking of the head and dirt or discharge in ears indicative of a possible ear infection. Chronic diarrhea or vomiting. Animals kept in dirty conditions including being forced to stand in their own urine and excrement. Swellings, such as tumors or abscesses, left untreated. Rabbits with a severe head tilt. Slaughter by untrained individuals. |
11 Facts About Animal Cruelty https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-animal-cruelty 1. Puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding operations that put greater priority on profits than the health of the puppies. Many dogs are plagued with illnesses like kidney or heart disease as a result of the conditions they’re kept in.
2. Each year, thousands of young and healthy Greyhounds are killed because they lack racing potential or have been injured while racing and are no longer competitive.
3. Dogfighting became prevalent in the U.S. after the Civil War, with professional pits proliferating in the 1860s. And was a source of entertainment for police officers and firemen.
4. Today dogfighting has been reported in urban, suburban, and rural settings in all regions of the country.
5. More than 50% the fur in the United States comes from China, where there are no penalties for abusing animals, which are raised in unbearably cramped and run-down cages on fur farms.
6. It’s been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year of animal hoarding in the US, with 250,000 animals falling victim.
7. Over 100 million animals – mice, rats, dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, birds, among others – are killed in U.S. laboratories for chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics testing every year.
8. Every major circus that uses animals has been cited for violating the minimal standards of care set by the United States Animal Welfare (AWA).
9. Most rodeo events rely on creating a stressful environment for the domesticated and often docile animals involved. Participants rely on harsh handling practices (i.e. twisting calves’ tails or painful electric shocks) to make animals perform.
10. The exotic pet trade is a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. And while some wild pets are bred in captivity, many are taken from their native habitats. The stress of being violently removed from their homes causes a number to die prematurely.
11. Due to genetic manipulation, 90% of broiler chickens (chicken bred specifically for meat production) have trouble walking.