No Foolin' about Preventing Animal Abuse

If you saw animal cruelty happening in your neighborhood would you know what to do? Animal abuse is a common occurance in California. The state ranks in the top 6 highest number of cases in 15 (of 21) different abuse categories listed by pet-abuse.com. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), an organization that investigates animal abuse day in and day out, works mostly off of tips from the public.

The article "No Foolin' about Animal Cruelty", posted earlier this week, included a list of signs to look for to tell if an animal is being abused (through neglect or physical force). But now that you know what to look for, do you know how to stop it and prevent it from happening again?

5 Ways to Prevent Animal Abuse

1. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood – Being aware will make you more likely to notice sudden changes in an animal’s appearance, behavior, or regular habits.

Elle Hernandez of Riverside shares her friends expereince- "My friend moved to Arizona, where summer days reach 90 degrees by 9am. The next door neighbors had a Rottweiler that would bark at her dogs through the fence every day. The neighbors told my friend they were moving and did so overnight. A few days after they moved my friend started hearing barking coming from inside the house. Come to find, the neighbors had abandoned the dog, locked her inside the house with a bucket of water and a bag of food on the floor, and never said a word about it. No cracked window, no dog door for her to be able to potty outside; she was trapped inside the hot and empty house for days. I am happy to report that my friend rescued this Rottweiler before it was too late and found her a new home." And it was possible because she was aware of the neighborhood dogs and kept an eye/ear out for sudden changes.

2. Make the Call – Most animal abuse investigations start with a phone call from a concerned neighbor. “It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU – that’s why it’s so important to keep your eyes and ears open.” - ASPCA.com

• First, know who to call!

To report abuse in Riverside and unincorporated areas of Corona:

Riverside County Animal Services: 951-358-7387

To report abuse in the city of Corona:
Corona Animal Control: 951-736-2309
To report abuse in San Bernardino:
Animal Care & Control: 1- 800-472-5609
To report abuse in Orange County:
OC Animal Care: (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) 714-935-6848 and
(5 p.m. – 8 a.m.) 714-935-7158
To report abuse in Los Angeles County:
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (spcaLA):

1-800-540-SPCA (7722)

Or report abuse online:
www.pet-abuse.com

• Second, provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. It helps to first write down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.

In other words, Who, What, When, Where

3. Set a good example for others – Be a responsible pet owner and always show your dog the love and care they deserve by ensuring their safety inside and outside of the house. Remember, you don’t have to physically intimidate your dog to get them to behave. Its mental dominance they respect, in a calm and assertive leader and that doesn’t require physical force. If you need help learning to discipline or train your dog without using physical force contact a qualified trainer who can help you learn techniques like Cesar Millan practices.

And most importantly, teach your kids how to treat animals with kindness and respect as well. Everything you do sends a message, and you never know what little eyes may be watching.
“Children who abuse animals are more likely to commit crimes as adults, but there are many factors that play into why children abuse animals, these can include witnessing violence or abuse in the home or community where the animal becomes a scapegoat for what the child is feeling”, said Steve Steinberg Mental Health Services Manager for the County of Riverside.

4. Support your local shelter or animal rescue – It’s a great way to make a difference and give an animal a second chance at a good life. You can show your support by becoming a foster parent, volunteering your time, or donating (needed supplies, food, money, etc.). Every little bit helps, and every little bit makes a big difference in the life of an animal.          

    5.  Get involved – You can get involved by fighting for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state, and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.

“We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.” – G.T. Angell