Report Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is not only wrong. It is a crime and against the law in the state of California! Animal abuse can also be part of a pattern of other violent acts within families and society. Abuse of any kind should be reported to Animal Care Services. If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, contact Animal Care Services immediately at 562-570-7387.

What constitutes animal cruelty? 

Animal cruelty occurs when someone intentionally injures or harms an animal or when a person willfully deprives an animal of food, water, or necessary medical care.

Here are some signs of animal cruelty:

• Intentional injury or harm to an animal
• Willfully depriving an animal of food, water, or necessary medical care
• Wounds or patches of missing hair on the animal
• Extremely thin or severely hungry animal
• Limping or visible untreated injury
• An owner striking or physically abusing an animal
• Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food or water and who are often chained
• Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owner
• Animals who are kept outside, without shelter, in extreme weather conditions
• Animals showing signs of injury or illness and have not been taken to a veterinarian

Veterinarians are required by law to report any suspected cruelty or neglect immediately to Animal Care Services.

When reporting suspected animal cruelty, residents should provide their own name, address and phone number. Be prepared to give us a description of the animal (color, size, distinguishing features, collar color, etc.) and the person initiating the abuse, as well as the address, date and time of the incident.

Documenting the incident with photographs and video can be very helpful in prosecution. Please only take pictures or videos if you feel you are safe.

Investigating officers will not identify the source of the complaint.

Depending on the severity of the violation, every person who maliciously, intentionally, or through neglect inflicts pain, injury, or suffering on an animal, is guilty of an offense. These offenses can range from an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment; or felony, and is punishable by imprisonment in state prison for 16 months, or two or three years, or by a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The following is a list of California Penal Code sections regulating animal cruelty.