Humane Society of Huron Valley : Special

Be aware – Look out for the animals in your neighborhood. HSHV relies on calls from concerned citizens.

Learn to recognize cruelty – Possible signs include: Animals with wounds, limps, missing hair; Owners who hit or physically abuse animals; Dogs left alone without food, water and shelter; Animals not given veterinary care; Animals that act fearful or aggressive when their owners approach.

Provide as much information as possible – When reporting animal cruelty, write down what you saw, who was involved, the date, time and location.

Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws – Contact your federal, state, and local legislators – visit our website www.hshv.org.

Set a good example – Always show pets the love and good care they deserve. Be responsible and have your pets spayed or neutered.

Talk to your kids – Education is one of the most powerful tools in preventing animal cruelty.

Support HSHV and its Cruelty & Rescue efforts – volunteer, donate money or supplies, and be an animal advocate in your neighborhood.

Animal Cruelty: Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty.

Michigan Anti-Cruelty Law Summary

Not providing any of the following is in violation of Michigan state law:

Food – an emaciated animal indicates lack of adequate food provided by the owner
Water – severe dehydration without a medical reason indicates a lack of adequate water provided by the owner
Shelter – any severe weather related injuries, such as frostbite or heatstroke indicates lack of adequate shelter provided by the owner; additionally, if there is any indication or statement that the pet has no outside shelter (i.e. dog house)
Veterinary Care – not treating any injury causing the animal pain (example: dog with broken leg, the owner only gets x-rays and does not elect further treatment.)
Abandonment – owner not making provisions for an animal; examples: leaving the animal inside or outside of a home after moving, leaving the animal at the shelter, or leaving the animal at the clinic

Depending on the severity of the offense, the penalty of this law may vary from a 93-day misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine or 200 hours community service to a 4-year felony with a $5,000 fine or 500 hours community service.

Animal Hoarding or Collecting: Obsessive/compulsive disorder in which an individual keeps a large number of animals in his or her home, and neglects to care for the animals and the home environment.

Cockfighting/Dog Fighting: A blood sport in which two animals are placed in a small ring and encouraged to fight to the death.

Crush Act: A federal law that prohibits people from knowingly creating, selling or possessing depictions of animal cruelty with the intent to place them in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain.

Ear Cropping/Tail Docking: The cropping of a dog's ears or tail to conform to a breed standard. Although this unnecessary cosmetic surgery is regularly performed by some veterinarians, it is often done by untrained individuals, without anesthesia, in un-sterile environments.

Neglect: The failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the animal owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation.

Puppy Mill/Kitty Mill: Breeding facilities that produce large numbers of purebred dogs and cats. The animals are regularly sold to pet shops across the country. Documented problems of puppy mills include over-breeding, inbreeding, poor veterinary care and overcrowding.

Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR): A method of managing feral cat colonies that involves trapping the animals, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them (ideally) and returning them to where they were found. HSHV promotes this ethical and humane practice.

Help HSHV Fight Cruelty

For more information and tips ... Visit the ASPCA