Animal Abuse or Neglect

Animal Abuse and Neglect looks like……

• A tight collar that has caused a wound, discomfort, or has become embedded in the pet's neck
• No signs of food, water, or food and water that is unsanitary
• Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
• Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
• Pets that are infested with fleas, ticks, or other parasites
• Kept animals with many scars, open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that is not being treated
• Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
• An animal abandoned in a home, apartment, etc.
• An animal that is weak, trembling, confused, limping or cannot stand or walk normally
• Pets that are tied up or chained outside for long periods of time (Some counties, including Cook County have tethering restrictions)
• Pets that are kept outside without accessto adequate shelter, including shade in the summer or protection from the elements in the winter
• Pets that are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass, rusty metal, open chemicals and toxic substances, or other objects that could harm them
• Animals that are housed in dirty kennels or cages
• Animals that are housed in kennel and cages that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around, and make normal movements
• Animals that are crowded in environments that are too small for the number of animals present
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal

 When you see Animal Abuse and Neglect, please contact….

The Anti-Cruelty Society

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Telephone: 312-645-8090

Or your local police department or animal control facility.  Click on the link below to find contact information for the local police department or animal control facility in the Illinois county where you have observed the animal abuse.  Some counties, such as DuPage County, are further divided by individual municipality police department or animal control facility contact information.

http://nationallinkcoalition.org/how-do-i-report-suspected-abuse/illinois

When you call, please be prepared to provide: 

• The exact street address of the property where the animal is located.
• The exact nature of the complaint (dog or cat left outside with no shelter, abandoned in apartment, etc.)
• Description of the animal (color, breed, size, adult/puppy/kitten)
• A contact number where you can be reached.  It is not mandatory to leave your contact information, but it does make the investigator’s job simpler should they have any questions. 

To Report Dog Fighting in Illinois: 

• In Chicago, call 911 whenever dog fighting is seen in progress or 311 if it is suspected.
• In other municipalities, contact your local police department. Reports can be made anonymously.
• In Cook County, Illinois, you may call the Cook County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-535-STOP if you have information about dogfighting.
• Report anything unusual in your neighborhood, such as large numbers of dogs, excessive barking, illegal kennels, unusual number of people "coming and going" in abandoned buildings, garages, or lots.