What is Animal Cruelty?
Animal cruelty encompasses a range
of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cases of cruelty investigated by Humane Officers are unintentional neglect that can be
resolved through education. Intentional cruelty or abuse is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care; or
maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal. Animal cruelty is defined by Vermont state law. To learn more about Vermont's animal cruelty
laws, go to www.reportanimalcruelty.com.
Reporting Animal Cruelty & Neglect
All animal cruelty reports in the Town of Brattleboro should be made directly to the Brattleboro Police Department at 802 257 7946.
If you reside outside of the Town of Brattleboro and the animal is in immediate danger, please contact the Vermont state police at 802 257 7101.
If you reside outside of the Town of Brattleboro and the animal is NOT in immediate danger, please file your complaint online at
www.reportanimalcruelty.com. You may file your complaint anonymously if you prefer.
What Happens in Response to an Animal Cruelty Report?
When an animal cruelty or neglect report is made, the town's humane investigator visits the animal owner
that is the subject of the complaint. In most cases, the humane investigator first tries to rectify the situation by educating the pet owner about how to
provide better care for the animal(s). If the situation does not improve, the police will become involved, and a search warrant may be obtained. In some
criminal cases, animals may be seized as part of the investigation.
What Can I Do to Help?
-
Educate yourself about Vermont's animal cruelty laws at
www.reportanimalcruelty.com.
-
Report any suspected case of animal
cruelty or neglect to the appropriate agency. (See above: Reporting Animal Cruelty & Neglect.)
-
Be outspoken about animal cruelty
and neglect. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors. Write letters to local newspapers.
-
Sign up with the Windham County
Humane Society to foster an animal in the event of an emergency.
-
Donate
to the Windham County Humane Society. Your support makes the cruelty/neglect investigations and proper enforcement possible.
