Animal cruelty is common everywhere, even in places where it’s prohibited.  Although there may be laws on animal cruelty, its not highly implemented. Thus every year, there are several animals, including pets like cats and dogs, and wild animals, that are maltreated.

Animal cruelty can come in various forms.  You could have observed someone physically hurting an animal.  Animal cruelty can also be in the form of malnutrition when animal owners don’t feed their pets properly.  Generally, what causes injury and suffering to an animal can be considered animal cruelty.

One way of fighting animal abuse is to report it as soon as it is spotted.  Here are some things you can do to prevent animal cruelty.

Be Aware

Keep your eyes and ears open.  Your local humane society or animal shelter wouldn’t know several instances of animal abuse without those concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhood through phone calls.  So, do your part and be on the look out for animals in your own neighborhood.   This could be a possible indicator of neglect or abuse.

Learn to Distinguish Animal Cruelty

Signs and Symptoms – There are signs and symptoms observed in most abused animals.  Watch out for wounds on the body, patches of missing hair, extremely thin and starving animals, limping and tick or flea infestations.  An owner who is physically abusing an animal is abusive.  Dogs left chained in the yard and without access to food and water is a neglectful act.  Animals hit by a car and not taken to a veterinarian is also a neglectful act.  These are all forms of animal cruelty.  Read more...