Report Animal Cruelty
The most effective way to fight animal cruelty is to simply keep your eyes and ears open. And if you suspect an animal is being abused, neglected or mistreated call your local police department or the humane officers affiliated with your local SPCA and report your concerns. This can be done anonymously. When you call, be sure to include the address of where the animal can be found and a description of the animal. If you do not receive a call back, call again. The key to reporting animal cruelty is to be persistent. Most agencies assigned to protect animals in the Commonwealth are complaint-driven. So write letters documenting your concerns, keep a log of how often you called and when, and follow-up with your local Animal Control and SPCA Humane Officers or the police to make sure that something was done. If you are not satisfied with their response call their supervisors.
Common abuses include: failure to provide a dog or cat with water, food, medical care or shelter (all required by the laws of this state), embedded collars (collars should be adjusted as puppies grow), dogs left in hot cars (call the police immediately), severely matted hair (restricting movement and the animal's ability to see or defecate), burned feet from being tethered on driveways on hot asphalt, and animals running at large (pets must be on a leash once they leave your property). "Outside" or chained dogs are often victims of neglect, vulnerable to weather extremes, insects (severe flea infestation can lead to death from anemia) and injuries to the throat or neck. If you know of an animal left alone outside for long periods of time, while their owners are away, or if they appear to be malnourished or injured, call the authorities immediately. You may be that animal's only chance for help. Don't sit by, day after day, and watch your neighbor's pet suffer, call the proper authorities and report the abuse. Again, the police WILL act on anonymous tips.
The Michigan State College of Law: Animal Legal and Historical Web Center is an informative guide to the laws and statutes protecting our nation's animals. If you have any questions regarding Animal Cruelty, we suggest you visit their site http://www.animallaw.info/ And for complete information on topics ranging from leash laws, kennel regulations, and shelter requirements in Pennsylvania, visit http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stuspa3ps459_502.htm
Another site Main Line Animal Rescue highly recommends is www.pet-abuse.com. Pet-Abuse.com is an international registry listing people convicted or strongly suspected of animal cruelty and is used by law enforcement agents, rescue organizations and members of the press around the world. Many of the worst Puppy Mill operators in Pennsylvania are posted on this site, as well as people who have committed some of the most heinous acts imaginable against animals in our state. Click on their map of the United States to see actual cases, news articles, and trial updates in your state. Main Line Animal Rescue has provided this organization with factual information and local news articles on numerous individuals, resulting in the posting of several convicted animal abusers on this site.