Investigating Animal Cruelty 27 their animal a new home or take it to an animal shelter, some people will abandon it when they move. Questions to ask when you receive an abandoned animal complaint • What is the name and address of the owner/occupant? Can you describe what he/she looks like? Do you have any information about where he/ she is or was employed? Do you have any information regarding his/her current whereabouts? • What types of animals are involved and how many of them are there? • What leads you to believe the animals have been abandoned? • Where exactly are the animals confined (e.g. apartment, house, mobile home, barn, kennel, pen)? Can the animals be seen from the roadside or through a window? • What was the date and approximate time you last saw the animals? What were the weather conditions at that time? • Are you willing to sign a sworn statement as to what you saw? • Do you know of any additional witnesses that I can interview? • What are the explicit directions to the location of the complaint? In rural areas in particular, it can be especially important to get an exact description of the house (e.g., its color, one story or two story) and landmarks to get to the property. Based on the responses to these questions, you can determine the urgency of the situation and whether the law is being violated. What to do In this situation, it is especially important to obtain a sworn statement from the complainant or landlord (and any other witnesses, if possible) to establish how long the owner/ occupant has been gone. When you approach the property, look for indications that the property has been vacated or abandoned, such as posted notices or signs, an accumulation of newspapers or mail, a neglected yard, etc. Knock on the front door to see if anyone is home and announce yourself. Look for any signs that suggest the presence of animals inside and out, including sounds of animals coming from inside the primary residence or other structures, animals visible through windows, fecal matter on the floors or in the yard, foul odors, etc. Take photographs and/or note these conditions. Make note of your observations. They will give you an idea about the condition the animals might be in, along with where you might find them. If you discover an animal on the property, determine whether exigent circumstances exist. 1. Non-exigent circumstances The animal you find appears to be in a neglected state, but is not in immediate danger. You might not be able to see the animal, but you hear sounds inside a locked house or barn. Consider the following approach: a. Talk to the neighbors to determine how long the owner/occupant has been gone. Obtain signed statements if possible. b. Based on the input you receive, your observations, and any statements, obtain a search warrant. c. If you cannot determine how long the owner/occupant has been gone, you might try the following: i. Leave a notice for the owner to contact you within 24 hours. Place a piece of clear tape across the door and jamb. ii. If the owner does not call within the allotted time, return to the property and check to see whether the tape has been removed or is broken. If the tape is intact, obtain a search warrant to seize the animal(s). Common complaints
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