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DA’s Office ANIMAL CRUELTY TASKFORCE Announces "Report Animal Abuse, Stop Domestic Abuse" Public Service Announcement

Albany County District Attorney David Soares

 

 

Building Hope Community Event

  March 9, 2016

 

 

 

 

DA’s Office ANIMAL CRUELTY TASKFORCE

 

Announces "Report Animal Abuse, Stop Domestic

 

Abuse" Public Service Announcement

  
 

 

 

 

ALBANY, NY –District Attorney P. David Soares, joined by members of the “ACT” Animal Cruelty Taskforce led by his office, unveiled a public service announcement aimed to reduce domestic violence and animal abuse.

The "Report Animal Abuse, Stop Domestic Abuse" initiative of the Albany County DA's "ACT" Animal Cruelty Taskforce aims to shine a light on domestic violence, by encouraging more residents to dial 9-1-1 when they suspect animal abuse. The effort is based on research from the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys that found 76% of animal abusers also abuse a member of their family. The premise is that if more people can be convinced to dial 911 when they suspect animal abuse, that the police will then have the opportunity to uncover a higher number of domestic violence cases.

An estimated 70% of all abuse cases go unreported each year (National Coalition of Domestic Abuse), and 25-40% of domestic abuse victims stay in abusive homes or delay leaving out of concern for the safety of their pets (American Humane Society).  It has become obvious that a new approach to breaking the cycle of abuse is desperately needed.

The message of the initiative is simple. If you witness or even suspect animal abuse, report it immediately.  Please join us today in the fight to end domestic abuse and animal cruelty.  Your "ACT" could save a life.

If you witness an animal in a life-threatening situation, or see an animal involved in dog-fighting, being beaten or severely abused, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Non-emergency animal cruelty should be reported to the Police Department in the municipality where the event occurred. Please refer to this list of local law enforcement agencies in Albany County. 

 

Be Prepared

The police are best able to perform their duties when provided with detailed descriptions of the suspected abuse.  The more details you provide, the greater the chance that the law will be upheld and the animals rescued.

Make sure to consider the following questions before calling the police:

What type of incident(s) did you witness?

Who was involved in the incident(s)?

When did the incident(s) take place?

Where did the incident(s) take place?

  

More information about the “ACT” Animal Cruelty Taskforce, including the public service announcements unveiled today, can be found on the District Attorney’s Office website. Visitors can find resources about animal cruelty prevention, a list of local cases, and learn about partners in the community who “ACT” alongside the DA’s Office in the mission of eradicating animal cruelty.

See Something? Say Something!

                                                                                                                                                                            

If you suspect animal abuse or neglect, you can report to your local law enforcement agency, call the Mohawk & Hudson Humane Society at (518) 434-8128, or visit their website mohawkhumanesociety.org 

 

SIGNS THAT AN ANIMAL MIGHT BE ABUSED

 

Physical Signs

Environmental Signs

 

  • Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet's neck
  • Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn't being treated
  • Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
  • Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
  • Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites
  • Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
  • Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
  • Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
  • Heavy discharge from eyes or nose
  • An owner striking or physically abusing an animal

 

  • Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary
  • Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter
  • Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
  • Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals

 

 

For more information please contact Cecilia Walsh at (518) 275-4710

 

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