April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Since animals cannot speak for themselves, it is up to us to help.
Did you know animal cruelty may result in a misdemeanor or felony? In California, it is illegal to:
- Organize dog fighting
- Tether a dog to a stationary object for more than three hours
- Leave pets unattended for extended periods of time: in vehicles in extreme weather; or without food and water
- Maliciously and intentionally maim, mutilate, beat, torture, torment, wound, or kill an animal or overdrive, overload, or overwork animals
- Deprive animals of necessary sustenance, access to water, shelter, veterinarian care, and adequate exercise
- Poison animals belonging to another person
- Abandon an animal
- Fail to provide proper care for animals in pet shops
- Cruelly transport animals in a vehicle
- When reporting an animal cruelty incident, make sure you are not in danger.
- Collect as much information as you can, including descriptions, photos and videos, if possible.
- To report an emergency, such as to rescue a dog in a hot, locked car, call 9-1-1
- To report a non-emergency animal abuse and neglect incident immediately, dial 3-1-1 or (916) 874-4311.
