Skip to main content

REPORT ABUSE

Use your voice to help animals suffering from cruelty.

Investigating reports of animal cruelty is one of the toughest but most vital parts of our mission. Our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit responds to more than 1,500 cases of animal cruelty each year, rescuing thousands of animals from abuse and neglect.

What to do

What to do if you suspect abuse.

If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected, the best thing to do is contact the right authorities. Texas law protects animals from cruelty and abuse. Do not try to resolve the issue yourself.

Report to
SPCA of Texas

Our ACI Unit is embedded in the Hunt and Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Offices. Call 214-742-7722 or submit a report online to report suspected animal abuse in these areas. We can respond to cases in other counties at the request of other law enforcement agencies as our resources and space allows.

Make a Report Online

Contact Local
Authorities

If you are reporting a case of suspected animal cruelty or abuse from outside our service area, please contact the law enforcement and/or animal control agency that has jurisdiction in that area.

Local Animal Control

Veterinary Forensics Services

The SPCA of Texas’s Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit (ACI Unit) provides forensic veterinary services to law enforcement, prosecutors and animal welfare organizations pursuing animal cruelty cases across the state of Texas.

LEARN MORE!

WHAT ABUSE LOOKS LIKE

Texas law protects animals from cruelty.

Texas Health and Safety Code prohibits a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly treating an animal. The following actions are defined as cruel punishment. 

  • Torturing an animal 
  • Failing to provide food, care or shelter 
  • Abandoning an animal
  • Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner 
  • Killing, seriously injuring or poisoning an animal 
  • Causing an animal to fight with another 
  • Using a live animal as a lure in a dog race 
  • Tripping a horse 
  • Injuring an animal belonging to another person 
  • Seriously overworking an animal