REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY & NEGLECT

In our quest to reduce animal cruelty we must totally rely on you and your love for animals. It’s sometimes difficult to know when to intervene, so we wanted to provide you with some guidelines for defining animal cruelty.

• cruelty (n): callous indifference to or pleasure in causing pain and suffering; behavior that causes pain or suffering to a person or animal.

• neglect (v): fail to care for properly. (n): the state or fact of being uncared for.

If you know of a situation where one or more of these descriptions apply please call the appropriate number listed below! If you see an animal being abused (see #4 and 10) or dog fighting in progress dial 911 IMMEDIATELY! Time is of the essence!

What are some signs of animal neglect and/or abuse?

1. Thin

2. Injured

3. Unsanitary conditions

4. Physical Abuse

5. Abandoned

6. Dog Fighting

7. No Shelter

8. No Food or Water

9. Animal Hoarding (more than 10 animals at a residence)

10. Animal Left Alone in Vehicle

Alabama State Code Regarding Cruelty

Under Alabama Criminal Code Section 13A-11-241, a pet owner that commits cruelty to a dog or cat can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. 

In GBHS’ experience, pet owners that deprive a pet of food, water, and/or shelter may face misdemeanor charges. If charged, pet owners may also have to pay additional fines, penalties, and court costs.

Pet owners are held responsible for every act, or neglect, if the act or neglect causes unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering, (including abandonment), and/or the suffering is allowed to continue.

Section 13A-11-241

Cruelty in first and second degrees.

(a) A person commits the crime of cruelty to a dog or cat in the first degree if he or she intentionally tortures any dog or cat or skins a domestic dog or cat or offers for sale or exchange or offers to buy or exchange the fur, hide, or pelt of a domestic dog or cat. Cruelty to a dog or cat in the first degree is a Class C felony. A conviction for a felony pursuant to this section shall not be considered a felony for purposes of the Habitual Felony Offender Act, Sections 13A-5-9 to 13A-5-10.1, inclusive.

(b) A person commits the crime of cruelty to a dog or cat in the second degree if he or she, in a cruel manner, overloads, overdrives, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, injuries, mutilates, or causes the same to be done. Cruelty to a dog or cat in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

GBHS offers up to a $10,000 reward to any individual who reports animal abuse. All reports are confidential. 

To report animal abuse during regular business hours:
8:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday, please call 205-591-6522, press option 1, wait, then press option 3.

To report animal abuse after hours: 
Before 8:00 am and after 5:00 pm, M-F; Saturday after 12:00 pm, Sundays and holidays, please call 205-591-6522, press option 1, wait, and press option 1 again.

How can GBHS help?

Our primary goal is to educate the public on proper pet care, therefore lowering the number of pets surrendered to area shelters each year.

If you know of an animal in Jefferson County that is being neglected, you may call our Cruelty Prevention Hotline at 205-591-6522 or fill out the form to the right. Our Cruelty Prevention Officer will speak with the pet owner and provide education and resources when possible to correct the problem and enhance the life of the pet and the human/animal bond between the pet and the owner.

Pets without shelter, food or water; underweight pets; chained dogs; unsanitary conditions; animal hoarding; abandonment; and sick or injured pets are the most common complaints we respond to. Some of the ways we can help include:

• Provide spay and neuter information

• Supply gently-used dog houses that have been donated to us

• Provide education on alternatives to chaining

• Teach pet owners how to make their pets “inside” pets

• Provide training tips to correct behavior that could cause the pet to be surrendered

• Allow the owner to surrender the pet if it is in the best interest of the pet

Because we do not have law enforcement powers, we cannot remove or impound any animals and cannot bring charges against a person for violating the law. If a situation is life-threatening, life-taking or past the point that mere assistance can help, please use the above list of phone numbers to contact the law enforcement department for that area.

Please note we can only respond to complaints in Jefferson County. Please contact local law enforcement if your companint is outside of Jefferson County.