Report Abuse

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The Peoria Humane Society is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and neglect to animals. One of the most important components of this mission is to ensure the proper investigation and resolution of reports of animal neglect, abuse, or cruelty. No longer can cruelty to animals be ignored or shrugged off. We must recognize that animal abuse can indicate serious maladjustment.

For many years, volunteers of the Peoria Humane Society spent hours of their own time investigating cruelty reports and attempting to save animals in terrible situations. These volunteers were often confronted by angry pet owners and threatened with physical harm during the course of their investigations. Still, hundreds of animals found in cruel situations were helped or saved by these dedicated volunteers.

In 1984, the Peoria Humane Society negotiated an agreement with the City of Peoria for the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) to assume responsibility for the investigation of cruelty reports. Since that time, any complaints regarding cruelty, abuse, neglect, or torture are investigated and resolved by Animal Control Officers. The Officers have the ability to issue citations carrying fines and may impound animals found to be in distress. They also have the benefit of support from the police in the City and the County.

In 1987, the Animal Control Ordinance for the City of Peoria was amended to include stricter guidelines prohibiting the mistreatment of animals. In 1990, Peoria County followed suit by strengthening the County Animal Control Code relating to the cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. With these changes, the ordinances can be used to ensure compliance with animal care guidelines and force pet owners to provide essential care for their animals.

Animal abuse can include neglect and cruel treatment as well as abuse and is prohibited by state, county, and city laws. The Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter investigates more than 600 reports of cruelty or neglect each year. More than 90% of these reports are of neglect – lack of proper food, water, shelter or medical care. Neglect is characterized by the unintentional abuse of the animal, ignorance of pet care requirements, or a general apathy toward the animal (i.e. forgetting to feed the animal or failing to provide a proper shelter.) Cruelty can be identified by intentional physical abuse.

Anyone can report animal abuse to the Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter anonymously.
Although your name and phone number can be helpful in locating an animal, you may make a report without leaving any personal information. The shelter is open Monday-Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. All reports of cruelty or neglect are investigated within 24 hours of receipt. For extreme cases, Animal Control Officers are available seven days a week, 24 –hours per day for emergencies.

If you observe what you believe to be cruelty or neglect, call PAWS (309)494-8911. An animal that has inadequate shelter from the weather; doesn’t get fed every day; or doesn’t always have water in his bowl is likely neglected and needs help. Of course, abuse will be immediately recognizable – you may see someone hitting or kicking an animal, or worse. If you can safely take photos or video the incident, do so. This inarguable evidence is invaluable to investigators.

In the case of a child abusing an animal, the parent may simply be unaware of the behavior. Because animal abuse has been linked with other types of abuse in the home – namely child abuse – it’s important that an Animal Control Officer investigate. A uniform can command respect and attention without resulting in a defensive barrier. Plus the Animal Control Officers are trained to recognize and are required to report child abuse.

Do not attempt to remove a pet from a potentially abusive or neglectful environment yourself. Not only is this illegal, but you haven’t stopped the owner from getting another pet to abuse nor have you helped turn him into a caring, responsible owner.

What do we need in a report?

1. Owners address – with directions to the home

2. Name of owner – if known

3. Description of animal(s) – breed, color, age, size, and any other information that will help to identify the animal.

4. Number of animals – not only those that suffer from neglect or cruelty, but include all that live in the household

5. What type of cruelty/neglect was observed – no food, water, or shelter; or was there some incident or sign of injury witnessed?

6. Indicate if it is an emergency

An Animal Control Officer will investigate your report within 24 hours of receipt. If it is an emergency, an officer will respond immediately.

What will happen to your report

The Animal Control Officer will visit the home and determine the action needed to alleviate the animal’s suffering.

Animals in distress are immediately rescued or removed. If the pet is seriously unhealthy or obviously abused, the Animal Control Officer may remove the animal to protective care while the investigation continues. You can help by alerting PAWS if the owner gets another pet. Or if charges are brought against the owner, you can testify or sign a complaint, since neglect is difficult to prove. In the case of violent abuse, witnesses are important since the Officer did not see the violation occur. Your testimony could make the difference for the animal.

In most cases of neglect, owners are given recommendations for care and given a reasonable time limit to comply. Failure to comply results in tickets and fines. A second failure to comply results in removal of the animal. Usually neglect is caused by owners not understanding their pet’s needs, so Officers spend 90 percent of their time explaining how to correctly care for pets. Some owners, however, neglect their pets because they simply don’t care. When confronted by an Officer, these owners may decide to relinquish the animal rather than being bothered with properly caring for them.

In cases of outright abuse, the perpetrator will be charged if enough evidence can be gathered. In these situations, witnesses and testimony are extremely important in the prosecution of any charges. But, the most important thing is the report; even without bringing charges, just a visit from the Animal Control Officer will help stop the abuse.

In most states, the anti-cruelty laws are pretty vague. They may require adequate shelter, but not be specific about what “adequate” shelter is. The definition is then left up to the Animal Control Officer or to the District Attorney who may know very little about animals. In Peoria, we have set standards about what proper shelter or medical care requires. Also, the Peoria Humane Society and PAWS are always working to toughen the cruelty laws and ensure prosecution of people for the inhumane care or acts of violence against animals.