Source: https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-reporting-animal-cruelty-united-states
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:42:00+00:00

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The following table, while not exhaustive, provides information on where to report animal cruelty. If you do not find a local contact in your region on this table, you can conduct a search on your favorite search engine for local law enforcement, an animal shelter/control agency, or a humane society.
1. What is animal cruelty?
2. Where do I report animal cruelty?
3. What if I can’t find my city, village, of county on the table?
4. Where do I report animal cruelty found in pet stores, kennels, boarding facilities, pounds, and commercial breeders?
5. Where do I report a federal Animal Welfare Act violation?
6. Where do I report cruelty to livestock?
7. What about websites that depict animal cruelty?
8. What information should I have on hand when I make a report of animal cruelty?
9. How does this table work?
All states make animal cruelty a crime. Yet, what might be cruel to you may be lawful within a state, as some people have different opinions on how animals should be treated that differ from statutory provisions. To find out how your state defines animal cruelty, click on your state in the table below. Additionally, many cities and counties have animal cruelty provisions in their ordinances, so you may also want to search your local laws to find out what constitutes animal cruelty in your municipality or city.
Generally, a statute will define an act of animal cruelty as either a misdemeanor or a felony, but some states, specifically North Dakota and South Dakota , do not have felony animal cruelty provisions. Please note, however, that on April 29, 2013, North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple signed a bill that makes animal cruelty a Class C felony. Within states that have felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty provisions, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge does not rely on a single factor; instead, the difference usually depends on many factors. The following provides some examples of how states determine an act of animal cruelty to be either a misdemeanor or a felony.
One difference between a felony and a misdemeanor depends on the severity of the act (in law, the prohibited act is known as the actus reas ) that a person does to an animal. For example, in New York, a person commits a felony if he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious injury to a companion animal with conduct that is either intended to cause extreme physical pain or that is done in a depraved or sadistic manner (see NY AGRI & MKTS § 353-a ). A misdemeanor, on the other hand, occurs when a person “overdrives, overloads, tortures or cruelly beats or unjustifiably injures, maims, mutilates or kills any animal, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to himself or to another” (see NY AGRI & MKTS § 353 ).
In combination with the severity of the prohibited act, the mental state of the person (in law, known as the mens rea ) also determines whether or not an act is a felony or a misdemeanor. In criminal statutes, such as animal cruelty statutes, words like intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, willfully and maliciously, etc. signifies the mens rea. Also note that the same mental state may be present in both a misdemeanor and a felony prohibited act. For instance, in West Virginia (see WV ST § 61-8-19(a)(1)(C)(i) ), a person who intentionally withholds proper food and water to an animal may be guilty of a misdemeanor, while a person who intentionally mutilates an animal (see WV ST § 61-8-19(b) ) may be guilty of a felony.
Aside from severity of the act and the person’s mental state, the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony may also depend on the type of animal involved in the cruelty charge. For instance, in Pennsylvania, felony provisions are geared towards zoo animals ( PA ST 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511 (a)(2)(i-ii) ), while misdemeanor provisions are geared towards domestic animals belonging to a person other than the one committing the crime or a cat or dog belonging to the person committing the crime (see PA ST 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511(a)(1)(i-ii) and PA ST 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511(a)(2.1)(i)(A-B) ). The New York statute, mentioned previously, also provides an example of how an act might either be a felony or a misdemeanor depending on whether or not the animal is a companion animal (see NY AGRI & MKTS § 353-a for felony provisions against a companion animal and NY AGRI & MKTS § 353 for misdemeanor provisions against any animal).
Also note that the grade of a misdemeanor (i.e., a first degree misdemeanor, a second degree misdemeanor, a third degree misdemeanor, etc.) may change depending on the ownership of the animal or the type of animal. Additionally, whether or not a person repeatedly violates certain provisions of a cruelty statute may also be used in determining whether the crime is a felony or a misdemeanor (see OH ST § 959.99(E)(1) or NE ST § 28-1009 (2)(a) for examples). Again, the above factors are examples of the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in animal cruelty statutes and may or may not be present in all statutes. Yet, all criminal statutes, like animal cruelty statutes, will contain an actus reas and a mens rea .
While reading through a state’s law to find out what constitutes animal abuse may be cumbersome, there are some tell-tale signs that may put you on alert. For instance, signs of multiple healed wounds or an untreated injury or medical condition may be a sign, as well as witnessing an owner physically abusing an animal. An animal that is extremely emaciated may also be a sign of animal abuse.
Once someone witnesses animal cruelty, however, often times he or she may be unsure of where to report it. This table and FAQ are here to help guide you on how to report animal cruelty.
Once animal cruelty is suspected, there may be concerns of where to report it. Where you report it may depend on several factors, such as whether or not the animal is considered a livestock animal, if the abuse occurred at a neighbor's or a pet store, or if there is a dog fight currently in progress. The following explains where to report cruelty in general, while the following questions will explain where to report cruelty happening in pet stores, kennels, and breeding facilities; and where to report cruelty towards livestock and farm animals.
Since all state statutes make animal cruelty a crime, the best place to report animal cruelty is the police department that covers your local city, town or county. For emergencies, like a complaint about a dog fight in progress, you may want to call 911.
While your local law enforcement is the easiest answer to this question, some states—though not all—authorize humane societies or societies for the prevention of animal cruelty (SPCA) to investigate animal cruelty complaints (see the Humane Society Enforcement Table for states that allow humane societies to investigate animal cruelty). Additionally, some municipalities and counties –but not all— also authorize their animal control officers to investigate animal abuse. Reporting to a humane society, a SPCA or animal control can get confusing, however, because not all humane societies, SPCAs, and animal control officers within a single state are authorized to investigate animal cruelty complaints. Additionally, some states limit what types of animal cruelty complaints a humane society, SPCA, or animal control unit can investigate. For instance, in Florida, animal control officers are only allowed to investigate civil infractions, not felonies or misdemeanors, related to animal cruelty (see F.S.A. § 828.27(1)(b) ); an SPCA, on the other hand, can investigate all animal cruelty violations (see F.S.A. § 828.03(1) ). If that sounds confusing, some states—specifically, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Utah—offer a statewide animal cruelty hotline that you can use in order to report animal abuse.
Yet, some humane societies, SCPAs, and animal control agencies that are not authorized to investigate animal cruelty complaints may take your complaint to the proper authorities for you. Also, upon contacting a humane society, SPCA, or animal control agency, these organizations may alert you of the proper place to report animal cruelty.
A state may also allow citizens to initiate an action in court against someone who commits animal cruelty. For instance, Minnesota allows a citizen to apply directly to a court in a competent jurisdiction in order to issue a warrant and start an investigation into a suspected case of animal cruelty (see M.S.A. § 343.22 ). First, however, a citizen in Minnesota must establish, through affidavits, grounds for belief or probable cause that a violation of Minnesota's cruelty statutes has occurred before a judge in a competent jurisdiction will issue a warrant and order a police investigation. Likewise, North Carolina allows a person who observes animal cruelty to file a complaint in a district court where an act of animal cruelty is believed to have occurred (see NC ST § 19A-1 to 19A-4 ). The North Carolina statute permits the judge to determine the merits of an action by trial without a jury; the statute also gives the judge discretion to issue a preliminary injunction, a permanent injunction, or to dismiss the case all together.
While the table below provides you with many places to report animal cruelty, please note that it is not a complete list. If you do not find your county, municipality or region on the table, you can conduct a search using your favorite search engine to contact local authorities. For instance, a simple search of your city and your state followed by the words “report animal cruelty” or “report animal abuse” or “police department” should provide you with the information you are seeking. If one search engine does not provide you with the information that you are seeking, try searching another. For instance, if you search on Yahoo and are not happy with the results, try Google or Bing. Since different search engines index different websites on the Internet and use different formulas to structure results, you may find more resources using multiple search engines rather than just relying on a single search engine.
No U.S. state exempts pet stores, kennels, boarding facilities, pound or commercial breeders from their statutes. In fact, Virginia’s cruelty statute specifically states that the animal welfare provisions apply to every pound, animal shelter, or other releasing agency, and every foster care provider, dealer, pet shop, exhibitor, kennel, groomer, and boarding establishment (see VA ST § 3.2-6503(A) ). So, you can report cruelty observed in these facilities to the local authorities and, in some cases, the proper SPCA, animal control or humane society.
Additionally, a few states require pet stores, kennels, boarding facilities and breeders to obtain a license before they begin operations. In order to obtain a license for operations, a state will often require a specific government department to inspect the premises of the pet stores, kennel, boarding and breeding facilities These inspections usually require that animals are provided with proper care, food, water, sanitation, and shelter before a license is issued. If pet shops, kennels, boarding or breeding facilities violate these provisions, they may have their license suspended and may also face fines (see CT ST § 22-344 and RI ST § 4-19-5 to 9 for examples of statutory provisions that require a pet store, kennel, boarding facility or breeder to meet certain animal care standards in order to obtain and maintain a license). Thus, in addition to reporting animal cruelty to local authorities, in some instances, you may report animal abuse in a pet store, kennel, boarding facility or breeding facility to a state agency. Please note, however, some licensing inspections may only cover the care of cat and dogs (or just dogs).
Aside from state licensing requirements, many municipalities also have ordinances regarding the licensing of pet shops and kennels. So, you may want to look up your local government's code for more guidance on where to report suspected animal cruelty in a pet shop, kennel, or breeding facility as well. Unfortunately, the Animal Legal and Historical Center website does not contain every ordinance in existence in the United States. So, if you do not find your municipality's ordinance on this website, you may wish to pull up your local government's website or search the Municode or American Legal websites for your specific municipality's ordinance.
Certain large-scale dog and cat breeders who supply animals on the wholesale level to pet stores, research facilities, or brokers are also regulated at the federal level. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires certain breeders to become licensed and meet minimum standards of care. The USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the agency responsible for licensing and inspection. This does NOT include those retailers or breeders who sell animals directly to the public. You can go APHIS to learn more about reporting AWA violations.
5. Where do I report federal Animal Welfare Act violations?
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is a federal law that covers animals used in research, exhibition, transportation, and animals sold by dealers. The act establishes minimum standards of care for animals covered under the act. It also requires these animal dealers or exhibitors to be licensed and submit to periodic inspections by the USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Services (APHIS). Some examples of animal owners that would fall under the AWA include large scale commercial dog breeders that sell to pet stores or other dog brokers, owners of traveling exotic animal exhibitions, and university animal research facilities. These businesses may hold a Class "A," "B," or "C" license from the USDA. In order for a violation to be reported to APHIS, the individual must be licensed by the agency. You can search inspection records for licenses at the USDA-APHIS Database . Keep in mind that APHIS can only consider complaints for those individuals licensed under the federal AWA; all other cruelty violations should be reported to local law enforcement.
When reporting an AWA violation, know that only certain animals are covered. These animals include any live or dead dog, cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or any other warm blooded animal. The use of the phrase “any other warm blooded animal” excludes cold blooded animals, like fish and reptiles, from coverage. The act also explicitly excludes rats and mice for use in research; horses not used for research purposes; and other farm animals used or intended for use as food or fiber. 7 USC § 2132(g) . For further information on the Animal Welfare Act, its related regulations, and case law, please check out the Animal Legal and Historical Center’s overview of the act.
If, after reading the standards of care, you believe you have knowledge of an AWA violation, you can report it anonymously to APHIS using this online form . APHIS indicates that it evaluates all complaints "seriously" and will look into each complaint "thoroughly."
While you can utilize some of the same resources to report animal cruelty as mentioned in "Where Do I Report Animal Cruelty" column in the table below, you may also be able to report livestock cruelty to a government agency or another specified institution. In Tennessee, for instance, SPCAs are authorized to investigate animal cruelty complaints for non-livestock animals (see T.C.A. § 39-14-210(a) ), but section 39-14-211 of West’s Tennessee Code Annotated authorizes a county’s agricultural extension agent, a graduate of an accredited college of veterinary medicine specializing in livestock practice or a graduate from an accredited college of agriculture with a specialty in livestock to investigate livestock cruelty.
Additionally, many states may exempt commonly accepted livestock and animal husbandry practices from their animal cruelty statutes. This does not mean you should not report cases of suspected livestock animal abuse; it does mean, however, that certain practices such as humane slaughter or branding may fall within the commonly accepted livestock and animal husbandry practices exemptions.
Furthermore, while a state may exempt certain practices from its cruelty statute, it may also have specific provisions for livestock that differ from the provisions of the general animal cruelty statutes. For instance, while Wyoming exempts use of industry accepted agricultural and livestock practices on livestock (see WY ST § 6-3-203(m)(ii) ), Wyoming has a specific livestock cruelty statute that prohibits a person from failing to provide supply sufficient wholesome food and water to a livestock animal during confinement (see WY ST § 11-29-103(a) ). The Wyoming statute also grants authority to a government agency, the Wyoming Livestock Board (see WY ST § 11-29-109 ), to take charge of a livestock animal found abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated as defined in Wyoming’s general cruelty statute (see WY ST § 6-3-203 ). Additionally, Texas has separate provisions for cruelty to livestock animals and cruelty to non-livestock animals within its cruelty statutes . For instance, in Texas, while livestock that are treated in accordance with accepted and lawful animal husbandry or agricultural practices are exempted from the cruelty provisions (see TX PENAL § 42.09(f)(2) ), a person who “intentionally or knowingly tortures a livestock animal; fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, or care for a livestock animal in the person's custody; abandons unreasonably a livestock animal in the person's custody; transports or confines a livestock animal in a cruel and unusual manner; administers poison to a livestock animal, other than cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats, belonging to another without legal authority or the owner's effective consent; causes one livestock animal to fight with another livestock animal or with an animal as defined by Section 42.092; uses a live livestock animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; trips a horse; or seriously overworks a livestock animal” is not (see TX PENAL § 42.09(a)(1-9) ). Please note, however, that in Texas, unlike Wyoming, there is no special government agency to report livestock abuse too; you report livestock abuse as you would non-livestock abuse.
Also note that two states, Utah, see U.C.A. 1953 § 76-9-301(1)(b)(2)(C) , and Nebraska, see Neb. Rev. St. § 28-1008(2) , specifically exclude livestock animals from their definition of “animal” within their cruelty statutes. However, Utah only exempts livestock if the livestock is treated in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices or customary farming practices. This means that livestock not treated in accordance with these practices are included in Utah’s definition of animal and are therefore afforded protection under Utah’s cruelty statute. Nebraska, on the other hand, exempts all livestock from its general cruelty statute, but has a specific cruelty statute that offers protection to livestock. The Nebraskan Livestock Welfare Act makes the intentional abandonment, neglect, or cruel mistreatment of livestock (bovine, equine, swine, sheep, goats, domesticated cervine animals (deer), ratite birds (ostrich, emu. etc.), or poultry) a Class I misdemeanor or Class IV felony for subsequent offenses(see NE ST § 54-903(1) ).
While some websites depict disturbing and tasteless images of animal cruelty, these images may not be proof that an actual animal was harmed; instead, the images may be computer generated. While you are free to voice your own disgust of these websites, the websites that depict pictures of animal cruelty where no cruelty has actually occurred, may be protected under the First Amendment. However, if the images are depicting actual acts of animal cruelty, you may want to contact the Department of Justice , the Federal Bureau of Investigation , your local law enforcement, the Internet Service Provider (as the images may conflict with the provider's terms of service), the domain owner, or a SPCA/humane society in order to report these sites.
When reporting animal cruelty, pictures and video evidence can help bolster your case, but please only take photos and video when you can safely and legally obtain them. To also help your case, you should also keep records of the time, the place, and the people who were involved in the cruelty, as well as the names of the people who may have witnessed the abuse. In other words, provide the authorities with a clear and concise written statement of what you observed. In addition to keeping records of what you observed, also record any and all phone calls or e-mails you made to the authorities in order to report the abuse.
While you may remain anonymous when reporting a case of animal cruelty, please note that some reporting authorities may not offer you that option. If you find one that does not offer you that option, you may look to report the cruelty somewhere else, but plenty of advocacy sites encourage you to remain known in case they need a witness to testify against the accused.
On the table located below, you will find three broad categories that provides link on where to report animal cruelty in general; where to report cruelty witnessed in pet stores; and where to report livestock and farm animal cruelty. While the table offers many links to specific jurisdictions, please remember that this is not an exhaustive list of all the places where you can report cruelty and you may need to use a search engine to find out where you can report animal cruelty in your municipality or county. Also note that these three categories may sometimes overlap. For instance, as no state exempts cruelty to animals in pet stores, kennels, boarding facilities or breeders, you may use the same links in the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column in addition to the information provided in the "Where to Report Cruelty Witnessed in Pet Stores, Kennels, Boarding Facilities or Breeders." Furthermore, you may also use the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column in addition to the information in the "Where to Report Cruelty to Livestock and Farm Animal Cruelty." Although a state, like Texas, may have separate cruelty provisions for livestock animals and for companion animals.
Where to Report Cruelty in Pet Stores, Kennels, Commercial Breeder Establishments, Pounds, or Shelters.
Cruelty in pet shops and breeding facilities can be reported to law enforcement and, in some cases, SPCA/humane societies like general cruelty in the previous column.
Alabama does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its cruelty statutes. However, Alabama provides provisions for livestock care in transit and in markets; see AL ST § 2-15-110. See the Where to Report Animal Cruelty column for reporting links.
Alaska has an exception for animal husbandry in its cruelty statutes, see A. S. § 11.61.140(c)(3). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Arkansas has an exception for animal husbandry in its cruelty statutes, see A.C.A. § 5-62-105(a)(5). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Cruelty in pet shops and breeding facilities can be reported to law enforcement and, in some cases, SPCA/humane societies like general cruelty in the previous column. California does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Connecticut has an exception for approved methods of slaughter for intentional cruelty, but not neglect, under its cruelty statutes, see CT ST § 53-247(b). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Delaware has an exception for killing animals raised for food if the killing is not cruel under its cruelty statutes, see 11 Del. C. § 1325(b)(4). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
The District of Columbia does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Florida does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. However, Florida does have provisions for killing cattle and horses, see FL ST § 828.12 and FL ST § 828.125. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Hawaii does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Illinois has an exception for animal husbandry under its cruelty statutes, see I.C. § 25-3514. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Indiana has an exception for acceptable farm management practices under its cruelty statutes, see I.C. 35-46-3-5(a)(5)(c). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links. However, here is some advice from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
Iowa has a specific provision for livestock abuse, see IA ST § 717.7A, and the Iowa cruelty statutes indicate that you should report livestock abuse to local law enforcement, see IA ST § 717.7A.
Kansas has an exception for normal animal husbandry practices under its cruelty statutes, see K. S. A. § 21-6412(c)(6). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Kentucky Animal Welfare Alliance instructs to report to the County-Judge Executive and sheriffs, but the link that provides the information is broke, so use this.
Louisiana has an exception for agricultural processing under its cruelty statutes, see LA R.S. § 14:102.1(C)(6). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Maine has an exception for agricultural under its cruelty statutes, see 7 M.R.S.A. § 4011(2)(D), but note the cruel confinement of calves raised for veal and sows during gestation, see 7 MRSA § 4020. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Kennels and pet stores may be inspected by an authorized director of a humane society accompanied by a sheriff or deputy sheriff, see MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-616.
Maryland has an exception for customary and normal agricultural husbandry practices, see MD CRIM LAW § 10-603(1). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
See Massachusetts SPCA and Animal Rescue League of Boston link in the Animal Cruelty column.
Massachusetts does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Michigan does not prohibit the lawful killing of livestock or a customary animal husbandry or farming practice involving livestock, see M.C.L.A. § 750.50b(8). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Minnesota does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Mississippi does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. However, Mississippi does have specific statutory provisions for livestock cruelty, see MS ST § 97-41-15. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Missouri exempts agricultural practices from its cruelty statutes, see V. A. M. S. § 578.007(8). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Montana exempts commonly accepted agricultural and livestock practices from its cruelty statutes, see MCA § 45-8-211(4)(b). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Nebraska excludes livestock animals from the definition of animals in its cruelty statutes, see Neb. Rev. St. § 28-1008(2). However, Nebraska has specific provisions for livestock abuse under its Livestock Animal Welfare Act. Report to local law enforcement.
Note: No SPCA is authorized to enforce laws relating to pet stores, kennels, and breeders: see NV ST § 574.350.
Nevada has an exemption for animal husbandry in its cruelty statutes, see N. R. S. § 574.200(6). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
New York does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
North Carolina exempts lawful activities conducted for food production in its cruelty statutes, see N.C.G.S.A. § 14-360 (c)(2a). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
North Dakota exempts usual and customary practice in production agriculture in its cruelty statutes, see NDCC § 36-21.1-01(5)(b). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Oklahoma does not have an exception for farm animals or livestock in its general cruelty statutes. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Advice from the Oregon Humane Society and more advice from the society.
Oregon exempts animal husbandry practices in its cruelty statutes, see O. R. S. § 167.310(2). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Pennsylvania exempts normal agricultural operations in its cruelty statutes, see 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5511(c)(3). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Rhode Island exempts for licensed businesses killing animals for human consumption in its cruelty statutes, see RI ST § 4-1-5(b). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
South Carolina exempts animal husbandry its cruelty statutes, see Code 1976 § 47-1-40(c). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Tennessee exempts customary agricultural practices its cruelty statutes, see T. C. A. § 39-14-202. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Texas exempts animal husbandry its cruelty statutes, see V. T. C. A., Penal Code § 42.09, which also provides specific provisions for livestock cruelty. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Utah excludes livestock in normal animal husbandry practices from its definition of animal in its cruelty statutes, see U.C.A. 1953 § 76-9-301(1)(b)(ii)(C). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Virgina's cruelty statute provides exceptions in dealing with companion animals and also provides exceptions in the agricultural animals provision, see VA ST § 3.2-6503.1(B). See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Washington exempts accepted husbandry practices in its cruelty statutes, see WA ST §16.52.185. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
West Virginia The best place to report animal cruelty is the police department that covers your local city, town or county. Please use your favorite search engine to find this contact information. For emergencies, like a complaint about a dog fight in progress, you may want to call 911. Cruelty in pet shops and breeding facilities can be reported to law enforcement and, in some cases, SPCA/humane societies like general cruelty in the previous column.
Wisconsin provides a specific exemption to farm animals in its cruelty statutes, see WI ST 951.14. See the "Where to Report Animal Cruelty" column for reporting links.
Wyoming The best place to report animal cruelty is the police department that covers your local city, town or county. Please use your favorite search engine to find this contact information. For emergencies, like a complaint about a dog fight in progress, you may want to call 911. Cruelty in pet shops and breeding facilities can be reported to law enforcement and, in some cases, SPCA/humane societies like general cruelty in the previous column.

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