People do go tojail for animal cruelty in Los Angeles County.
Animal cruelty is a violation of California Penal Code Section 597 and is punishable by imprisonment in a state prison, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) or by both the fine and imprisonment.
How many times in your life have you thought an animal was being mistreated but didn’t know who to call or didn’t want to accuse someone in fear of being wrong or didn’t know what constituted animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty includes any activity that causes injury, disability or death of an animal. Examples of animal cruelty include kicking, hitting, choking, punching, hanging, stabbing, shooting, setting on fire, electrocution and animal hoarding. Animal hoarding involves keeping an unusually high number of animals as pets without having the ability to properly house or care for them.
Psychologists and criminal profiling experts have documented a strong link between animal cruelty and violence against humans.
85% of women and 63% of children entering abuse shelters discussed incidents of animal cruelty in their households. 32% of domestic violence victims with pets in their households reported that one or more of their children hurt or killed their companion animal(s).
Now you know that animal cruelty is against the law, what will you do when there is even a remote chance that an animal is being abused? Call the Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF) 213 486-0450. The Task Force investigations are a combined effort of the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. If you fear retaliation or for any reason you don’t want to get involved, that is okay. Any animal cruelty complaint may be made anonymously. The complainant’s identity will be kept with utmost confidentiality.
Many abused animals end up dead but the more people that take it upon themselves to save them by reporting animal abuse, the more lives will be saved. Also, you can foster or adopt an animal that has been abused. Yes, they are scared both physically and emotionally but these dogs will really appreciate a chance at having a loving home.