Adults who abuse children or other household members will frequently hurt animals in the home as a threat or warning to the other members of the household. In addition, children who commit animal abuse may themselves be abused by an adult. What you observe during you normal daily activities is key. Consider what you see as you walk or drive around your neighborhood. Most reported cases are based upon observations of neighbors.
Some people think that abuse or neglect exists only when they see an animal who is injured.
People believe they see abuse only if they see broken limbs or oozing wounds. This is not true. Animals deserve to live in humane conditions. Abuse and neglect can take many forms. Something as simple as an animal being out in the sun with no possibility of shade from our hot summer heat can be neglect.