In addition to moral concerns, there is a disturbing link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. In the case of cruelty or abuse, the appropriate animal services, animal control, or law enforcement agency should be called.
Many cities have their own animal services or animal control.
Washington County now has an animal control officer who can be reached through the sheriff's office. It is important to note that Animal Services officers are unable to take action unless they actually witness the cruelty or abuse. Fayetteville Animal Services do not give out the names of complainants, but an accused abuser may get the name of the accuser by filing under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. In addition, the Humane Society of the Ozarks has long conducted cruelty investigations. HSO cruelty investigators have rescued dozens of animals over the years.