Animal Cruelty and Field Services

No, most animal welfare laws are governed at the state level; therefore, each state (and even each county or town) can have different laws and penalties for animal welfare violations.

Unless you feel comfortable and safe speaking to the animal owner directly about your concerns, you should contact the law enforcement agency or humane organization where the action occurred. Law enforcement officers have the authority to investigate animal cruelty complaints, but their level of involvement will vary depending on the location and nature of the complaint. The law enforcement authority in your town could be your local animal control officer, a police department, the state police, or the county sheriff. Contact your town office or police department to find out who provides cruelty law enforcement services for your town.  MHS can assist law enforcement in the Cheshire County area to investigate and respond to domestic animal concerns in the area.

There is no one formula for handling animal cruelty complaints. The response you get may vary greatly depending on each situation and the available resources in a community. Typically, an investigation will start with a visit to the animal owner who is the subject of the complaint. In most cases, unless the animal(s) is in immediate danger, the officer will first try to rectify the situation by educating the pet owner about how to provide better care for their animal. If the situation does not improve, and there is enough evidence to warrant it, the animals may be seized as part of a criminal investigation.

Most first-time animal cruelty offenses qualify as misdemeanors. If a person intentionally kills an animal by means that cause the animal undue pain or suffering, it can qualify as a felony offense. Second offenses are felonies. Participating in animal fighting events and activities is also a felony.

Not all agencies accept anonymous complaints; check individual agency policy if you wish to file anonymously. Should you choose to file a complaint anonymously, your anonymous complaint may be used to gather further information relevant to the case. Although cases may not always proceed to court, signed statements from witnesses who are willing to testify are always more reliable and useful if no further leads can be found.

Not necessarily. According to NH RSA 644:8, a dog must be provided with proper shelter where they can go in, turn around, and lie down, and be of sufficient size to retain their body heat.

Yes, leaving an animal behind without food or water is considered abandonment.  Your neighbor may have left care arrangements for the animals, so if you are unsure, contact your landlord or the authorities.

No, you can not take someone’s animal without their permission.  It is recommended that you contact your local police department or animal welfare organization.

Absolutely. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25 years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder.