Report Animal Abuse or Neglect

How to Report Animal Cruelty or Neglect in Pennsylvania

Animal cruelty is a serious offense in Pennsylvania, with penalties ranging from summary offenses to felony charges. Ensuring that animals receive proper care is essential, and you can help make a difference by reporting cruelty or neglect.

Legal Responsibilities of Pet Owners

  • Food and Water: Provide sufficient food and clean water to maintain the animal's health and proper weight.
  • Shelter: Ensure the animal has access to clean, safe shelter that protects it from harsh weather, keeps it dry, and helps maintain its body heat.
  • Veterinary Care: Seek appropriate medical attention if the animal is sick or injured.

 

Humane Officer
humane investigations

Contact Information for Animal Control

If your report concerns issues such as licensing, rabies vaccinations, dangerous dogs, dog bites, excessive barking, or animals running loose, please contact your local Animal Control or police department.

Contact Our Humane Investigations Team

412-847-7066

Only those with firsthand knowledge should file a report. Hearsay and secondhand information cannot be investigated. To ensure your report is as helpful as possible:

  • Include an address or location, a detailed synopsis of the concern and a phone number where you can be reached.
  • Do not leave a message asking us to call you back for information.
  • Do not call multiple agencies with the same report.

For emergencies or life-threatening situations, dial 911 or contact your local police immediately.

Humane Society Police Officers (HSPOs) enforce animal cruelty laws under the authority granted by Title 22 Pa.C.S.A. Chapter 37 – Humane Society Police Officers.

Each year, Animal Friends' Humane Investigations Team responds to over 1,000 reports of suspected animal cruelty and neglect. The team includes certified Humane Society Police Officers trained to investigate these cases in Allegheny County.

They also offer support and resources to law enforcement outside the county, and provide training on Pennsylvania’s animal cruelty laws to agencies, municipalities, and community partners.

  • What HSPOs Can Enforce

    Neglect of Animal

    • Failure to provide for the basic needs of each animal, including:
      • Food and water
      • Shelter that is clean and sanitary and protects from the weather, retains body heat and keeps the animal dry
      • Necessary veterinary care

    Cruelty to Animal

    • A person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly illtreats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal

    Aggravated Cruelty to Animal

    • A person intentionally or knowingly:
      • Tortures an animal
      • Commits an act of neglect or cruelty causing serious bodily injury or death

    Tethering of Unattended Dog

    • An unattended dog may be tethered for less than 9 hours in a 24-hour period if the following conditions are met:
      • Tether is secure to a well-fitting collar with swivel to prevent the dog from being entangled
      • Collar may not be a tow or log chain or choke/pinch/prong/chain collar
      • Tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog measured from tip of nose to base of tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer
      • Dog has access to water
      • Dog has access to a shaded area
      • Area must not have excessive waste
      • The dog must not be tethered for longer than 30 minutes when the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit

    Animal Mutilation

    • Ear cropping
    • Debarking
    • Tail docking
    • Surgical birth
    • Declawing of a dog

    Animal Fighting

    • Causing, allowing or permitting an animal to engage in fighting
    • Receiving compensation for the admission of another person to a place kept or used for animal fighting
    • Owning, possessing, keeping, training, promoting, purchasing, stealing or acquiring in any matter or knowingly selling an animal for animal fighting
    • Wagering on the outcome of an animal fight
    • Paying admission to or attending an animal fight
    • Knowingly permitting a place under the person’s control or possession to be kept or used for animal fighting

    Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia

    Transporting Animals in a Cruel Manner

    Taunting or Torturing Police Animals

Report Abuse or Neglect

We are temporarily unable to take on any new humane investigation cases. Please call 911 to reach your local police who can also enforce the state animal cruelty law. We are still available to discuss your concerns and offer general information and referrals, but at this time, you must contact another officer for an investigation or rescue. If after reviewing the information provided here you have questions or would like to speak with someone, call us at 412-847-7066, option 1.