• When did the incident occur (date/time)? When was the last time you saw the animals (date/time)? • Where are the animals confined now (e.g., physical address of house, apartment, yard, barn, pen)? • Can you provide explicit directions to the location of the complaint or provide a description of the house (if an actual address isn’t known)? • Can the animals be seen from the road, from an adjacent yard, or through a window? • What were the weather conditions at the time of the abuse or neglect? Was the weather extremely hot or cold? • Are you willing to sign a statement regarding what you saw? • Are you aware of any additional witnesses that I can interview? Based on the responses to these questions, you can determine which laws are being violated and the urgency of the situation. NOTE: A complaint should not be ignored simply because it is anonymous. Most anonymous complaints are legitimate; people often refuse to give their names because they fear reprisal. 3. Investigating an animal cruelty complaint Because animal cruelty case is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when you investigate a complaint. Instead, you must use your best judgment in each situation. Your response should be guided by the following concerns: • What does the law require? • What is best for the animal? • What would a reasonable person do in this situation? 12 The Humane Society of the United States • Do I have ”reasonable cause” to do what I am doing, based on the facts as I know them? When investigating a cruelty complaint, be sure to: • Take a camera. • Note the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses. • Pay attention to the following conditions as you approach the property: − What structures/buildings are on the property? − Are there any sounds coming from the structures/buildings?Is the property well-kept? − Are there any foul odors? − What is the condition of any animal(s) in plain view? − Do you see feces on the property? (Lack of feces can be an indication of failure to provide food.) Be prepared for all possible reactions When confronted with an animal cruelty complaint, a person’s response could range from cooperative to belligerent to overtly hostile. Be prepared for anything. Keep in mind that short of being caught in the act, people generally will not admit to mistreating their animals. Often, they’ll attempt to rationalize their behavior or invent excuses for why it happened. If you anticipate that confronting the owner will cause him to remove the animals before you have obtained a search warrant, consider obtaining the warrant beforehand. If the animals are in plain view, consider taking photographs of them from a location where you are not trespassing. Submitting the photographs along with the warrant application will enhance your chances of obtaining a search warrant. The photographs will also be useful as evidence in your case. How to use this field guide
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