It happened last month. We get very, very few abuse calls that pan out. If the number of reported abuse cases is an indication, Hastings residents apparently treat their animals well. While there are few abuse calls, officials at the Hastings Police Department frequently handle reports of neglected animals. In many cases, Glantz said, neighbors call when they see an animal they believe needs attention.
Most reports come in during extreme hot and extreme cold weather.
Neighbors are concerned that a dog doesn't have enough food or water or is left out in the cold too long. But occasionally we have situations where an animal doesn't have proper shelter or adequate water. Then it usually becomes an issue of educating the owner. Both animal control officers and local veterinarians find themselves providing information about proper care to pet owners. Pam Burr, a Hastings veterinarian, said she sees few cases of outright abuse.