Animal Cruelty Investigations
Investigating reports of animal cruelty is one of the toughest but one of the most vital parts of our mission.
The SPCA of Texas maintains an Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit with six full-time humane investigators, two educators, one supervisor and one case manager. The humane investigators respond to more than 3,000 cases of cruelty each year in Texas of which less than 20--less than one percent--are pursued with civil charges. The balance of the cruelty investigations are resolved through education and compliance.
Receiving an average of 3,000-5,000 calls a year from people who have seen or know about cases of animal cruelty, the Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit rescues approximately 1,500 animals in distress each year in a variety of Texas counties. The phone calls are requests for investigation because the animals don’t have water, food, shelter or care. Other calls often include cruel confinement or abuse concerns.
Most animals investigated or rescued are dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Humane Investigators receive on-the-job training in animal cruelty investigations and continuing education of different varieties.
You can help the SPCA of Texas as we work to rescue animals from cruelty and abuse by making a gift today.
Create a team today for Strut Your Mutt, the Race to End Animal Cruelty, which takes place each Spring to help support our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit.
HOW TO REPORT SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE
Complete our Online Animal Cruelty Complaint form.
Our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit focuses on seven counties: Dallas, Ellis, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman and Van Zandt.
If the county you're referring to is outside our service area, you can help by contacting your local law enforcement. Texas law protects animals from cruelty and abuse. Your local law enforcement officials will be able to assist the animal(s) you're concerned about.
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE SPCA OF TEXAS RESCUE ANIMALS FROM CRUELTY?
To help the SPCA of Texas' Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit serve the animals of North Texas, sponsor our efforts today.
We urgently need your support to ensure that we can continue our work on behalf of homeless and helpless animals. Care of rescued animals amounts to $600 per animal.
To help the SPCA of Texas fund future rescue operations and to support the SPCA of Texas' other programs and services, make a donation today.
WHAT DOES ANIMAL CRUELTY LOOK LIKE?
In Texas, two types of laws protect animals from cruelty: civil laws and criminal laws. The laws are similar but differ in the penalties they impose.
In a civil case, if a judge rules that a person or people have been cruel to animals, the judge may take away their animals and/or order them to pay restitution.
If prosecuted in a criminal case, a person may face penalties including fines, jail or both.
Texas Health and Safety Code prohibits a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly treating an animal. The following actions define 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
Our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit responds to animals in need in North Texas counties.
Resources