REPORTING ANIMAL ABUSE & NEGLECT
Animals cannot ask for help. If you witness suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, or an animal living in dangerous conditions, speaking up may be the action that gets that animal the help it needs.
You do not have to investigate the situation yourself or prove that cruelty has occurred. Report what you observe to the appropriate authorities so trained personnel can assess the animal and the circumstances.
RECOGNIZING POSSIBLE ABUSE OR NEGLECT
Warning signs may include extreme thinness, untreated wounds or illness, lack of adequate food or clean water, filthy or hazardous living conditions, inadequate shelter, abandonment, unsafe confinement or tethering, physical mistreatment, or an animal that appears weak, dehydrated, injured, or otherwise in distress.
One sign alone may not prove abuse or neglect. If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare, report what you observe and allow the appropriate authorities to evaluate the situation.
EXTREME HEAT & COLD
Animals left outside during dangerous heat or cold can suffer serious injury or death. Pay attention to whether an animal has adequate shelter, clean water, shade, and protection from severe weather. Animals left inside hot vehicles may also face a life-threatening emergency.
DO NOT ASSUME SOMEONE ELSE HAS REPORTED IT
If you see an animal that may be suffering, do not assume a neighbor, passerby, or someone on social media has already called. Posting online does not replace making an official report. Your report may be the first one the appropriate agency receives.
WHAT TO DOCUMENT
When it is safe and lawful to do so, document the location, date and time, description of the animal, and exactly what you personally observed. Photos or video may be helpful. Do not trespass, confront anyone, put yourself in danger, or attempt to conduct your own investigation.
IF THE ANIMAL IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER
Active physical abuse, severe injury, an animal trapped in a hot vehicle, or another life-threatening situation may require immediate emergency assistance. Contact 911 or the appropriate emergency authority for the jurisdiction.
WHERE TO REPORT — WASHINGTON, D.C.
Humane Rescue Alliance — Humane Law Enforcement
Report suspected animal cruelty or neglect 24 hours a day:
202-723-5730 — Press 1
Reports may be made anonymously. Provide the location of the animal and describe what you observed. Humane Law Enforcement officers investigate suspected abuse and neglect in the District of Columbia.
Website:
Humane Rescue Alliance
WHERE TO REPORT — PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Prince George’s County Animal Services Division
To report suspected animal cruelty, neglect, injured animals, or animals in distress:
301-780-7200
For an animal-related emergency, select Option 8.
If there is active abuse, an injury, or an immediate safety concern, call 911.
Website:
Prince George’s County Animal Control
WHERE TO REPORT — MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County Office of Animal Services
To report suspected animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, an injured animal, or an animal in distress:
301-279-8000 — Option 2
If animal cruelty is actively occurring, an animal is locked in a hot vehicle, or there is another immediate animal-related emergency, call 911.
Website:
Montgomery County Animal Services
WHERE TO REPORT — ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Animal Welfare League of Arlington — Animal Control
To report suspected animal cruelty, neglect, inadequate shelter, or another animal-welfare concern:
703-931-9241
Animal Control is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If an animal or person is in immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.
Website:
Animal Welfare League of Arlington — Wildlife & Animal Control
WHERE TO REPORT — ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria — Animal Services
To report suspected animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect:
703-746-6000
Reports may also be submitted anonymously through the Animal Services online tipline.
For urgent animal-control assistance, call 703-746-4444. If an animal or person is in immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.
Website:
Animal Services — Neglected or Abused Animal Tipline
WHERE TO REPORT — FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Fairfax County Animal Services
To report suspected animal cruelty, neglect, an animal-welfare concern, or an animal in distress:
703-691-2131
If an animal is in immediate danger or there is an emergency in progress, call 911.
Website:
Fairfax County Animal Services — Field Services / Animal Control
SEE IT. DOCUMENT IT. REPORT IT.
Reporting a concern does not mean you are deciding that someone is guilty of cruelty. It means you are asking the appropriate professionals to assess the animal’s welfare. Silence cannot help an animal that may be suffering.