There's No
Excuse for Animal Abuse
In 2002 the
Houston SPCA responded to more than 6,658 calls about animal abuse,
cruelty and neglect.
The investigations
department is staffed by eight full-time cruelty investigators. These
dedicated professionals are responsible for covering over 2,664 square
miles with a total human population of 3.2 million. Together, they drive
more than 7,000 miles per month.
Additionally,
Houston SPCA investigators work closely with other humane organizations,
and with law enforcement officials, both locally and nationwide, providing
specialized training, assistance for cases involving animal cruelty,
and manpower for coordinated rescue efforts.
Though the demand for our services is tremendous, our commitment to
the animals we serve never wavers. All reports of animal cruelty, neglect,
and abuse are taken seriously and handled professionally.
What Should
You Do If You Think You Witness Animal Cruelty? Animal cruelty is a
crime in Texas, and is defined as follows:
SEC. 42.09. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS A person commits an offense if he intentionally
or knowingly :
1. Tortures
or seriously overworks an animal
2. Fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter
for an animal in his custody
3. Abandons unreasonably an animal in his custody
4. Transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner
5. Kills, injures, or administers poison to an animal, ........ belonging
to another without legal authority or the owner's effective consent
6. Causes one animal to fight with another, or
7. Uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing
The Houston
SPCA Cruelty Investigation staff depends greatly on input from the community
for information concerning suspected animal cruelty. Our investigation
staff is best able to perform their duties when provided with detailed
descriptions of the suspected abuse :
* What type
of incident or incidents did you witness?
* Who was involved in the incident(s)?
* When the incident(s) took place
* Where did the incident(s) occur?
Any details
that you are able to provide will increase our chances of seeing that
the law is upheld, and that the animals are rescued.
* What -
Can you describe the incident or incidents of animal cruelty that you
think you witnessed, including type, number, and description of the
animals involved?
* Who - Can you provide a description of the person or persons involved
in the incident(s)?
* When - Date and time of the suspected incident(s) of abuse.
* Where - Due to the extensive area covered by our investigation staff,
any and all information concerning the location of the incident(s) will
be of primary importance.
If possible, please provide :
o Street Address, including cross streets
o ZIP codes
o Landmarks, including business names and apartment complex names
Complainant
information is not released by Houston SPCA investigators, and every
measure will be taken to ensure confidentiality.
Contact information is very helpful to investigators when background
information is needed. If you are a witness to animal cruelty please
do not hesitate to contact the Houston SPCA at 713-869-7722
( Complete contact information is available at our Contact Us page.)
To continue
our efforts, the Investigations Department needs your help. The Houston
SPCA always accepts donations of any of the following items :
* Current
key maps and area maps (including areas outside of Harris County.)
* High candlepower flashlights
* Surveillance equipment (including telephoto lenses, scopes, tripods,
night vision equipment, etc.)
* Video cameras and equipment (including blank videocassettes, batteries,
VCR's, etc.)
HORSE/FARM
ANIMAL NEEDS
* Halters
- horse and pony
* Lead ropes
* Feed and water buckets of varying depths
* Livestock feed - pig, poultry, horse and cow
* Stall bedding (wood shavings)
* Pitch forks, wide shovels
OTHER
* Batteries
(AA and others)
* Winch
* Spotlights
Please call (713) 869-7722 to donate to the Investigations Department.
