Animal Neglect

All states have passed laws to prevent various forms of neglect. However, animal neglect cases can be challenging to identify, investigate and prosecute.

Animal neglect is a common type of animal cruelty where people do not provide adequate care for animals in their charge. Animal neglect may involve the following conduct (though each state may have differing laws on what constitutes animal neglect):

  • Abandonment without proper food, water and shelter (this includes “foreclosure pets” who are abandoned in foreclosed homes)
  • Failure to provide proper food, water and shelter
  • Failing to provide medical care
  • Hoarding
  • Puppy Mills
  • Starvation
  • Tethering a dog outside without proper care

All states have passed laws to prevent various forms of neglect. However, animal neglect cases can be challenging to identify, investigate and prosecute. Additional issues arise in mass animal neglect cases, such as hoarding or puppy mills, and a concern as to housing and caring for the animals when resources are limited.

Resources

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