How To Report
Animal Cruelty or Abuse
Animal Cruelty or Abuse
- Report all animal cruelty to law enforcement.
- Report animal cruelty to the local law enforcement office for the city or town in which the incident or neglect has taken place. If the incident is underway, call 911, if not, call the phone number listed for the police or sheriff's office.
- Humane societies in Oklahoma generally do not have the authority to initiate action on a cruelty case, although they may be helpful with information and guidance.
- Ask to speak with an officer or a deputy, do not simply leave a message with a dispatcher. You may have to leave your contact information with a dispatcher and wait for an officer to call you back.
- Confirm with the law-enforcement agency you’ve reported the matter to that they have been able to take action to resolve your concerns. Don’t simply assume that because you’ve reported the case that it will be handled/resolved appropriately. If resolution does not occur, go higher up the chain of command within the agency that has jurisdiction.
- Be able to provide details about what happened, an exact location, etc. If you are personally afraid of the perpetrator, inform the officer, or a humane society can report the crime for you. Remember, details are vital.
- Report cruelty as soon as possible. Do not think about the crime for days or weeks, the case will become harder, or even impossible, for law enforcement to investigate as time moves forward.
- If the animal is a pet in a home with a domestic violence issue, a local humane organization or OAA may help provide temporary safe housing. Inform the officer if arrangements are available.
- Remember to let elected officials know that stopping animal neglect and cruelty is important to you.