Neglect

The 11 signs of animal abuse, neglect or cruelty

1. 1 – Poor body condition and noticeable trauma.
2. 2 – Lack of food or water.
3. 3 – Lack of shelter.
4. 4 – Lack of sanitation.
5. 5 – Abandoned.
6. 6 – The animal is tied or caged.
7. 7 – Chains or padlocks around the animal’s neck.

How to Report Animal Abuse. If you would like to discuss or report animal abuse, please call Animal Care Services at (714) 935-6848. You may file an anonymous report; however, any personal information shared will be kept confidential.

Because animal cruelty is a crime, we recommend that you first report any suspected abuse to the local police or sheriff. If you suspect an act of cruelty is presently occurring or will soon occur, and feel that emergency action is warranted to prevent serious injury or death to an animal, call 911.

Cruelty and neglect cross all social and economic boundaries and media reports suggest that animal abuse is common in both rural and urban areas. Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people. Hoarding behavior often victimizes animals.

If you witness suspected cruelty to animals, call your local animal control agency as soon as possible or dial 9-1-1 if you’re unfamiliar with local organizations. If you make a report of alleged animal cruelty, the responding agency is required to investigate.

It’s been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year of animal hoarding in the US, with 250,000 animals falling victim.

You should introduce your new dog to everything gradually, at a pace with which your pet is comfortable. Archer said if your dog is fearful of something, try giving him or her treats as you work on overcoming that fear. Food can also strengthen your bond with your pet, according to the Humane Society.

Your abused dog may fear people, children, open spaces, or loud noises. They may not want to be held or petted, or accept treats from you. Rehabilitation is possible and those committed to improving the lives of an animal in need should not be afraid of adopting an abused dog.

Try to recreate the situation, but in a controlled manner: introduce your dog to the fear source from a distance, ensuring they remain calm. Use treats to reward your dog when they calm down. If at any point they are distressed or not coping well then abort the session. Forcing them could make them worse.

OK, you get the idea, so let’s look at 10 ways to win an unfamiliar dog’s trust.

1. Time and Space. A dog finds the unfamiliar threatening.
2. Avoid Direct Eye Contact.
3. Brush up on Body Language.
4. Reward Good Behaviour.
5. Keep in Routine.
6. Engage his Interest.
7. Exercise and Play.
8. Mental Stimulation.

How to Introduce Yourself to a Dog

1. Approach the owner: When you see a dog you want to meet—or you’re meeting a friend’s dog for the first time—ignore the dog and talk to the owner instead.
2. Position yourself side-by-side with the dog: Instead of coming right at the dog head-on, position yourself side-by-side and allow the dog to approach you.

In some cases, both partners in a couple walk and feed the dog equally, yet the dog still prefers one partner over the other. Often, this is simply a case of access, or lack of it. If one person spends more time at home with the dog, naturally the dog will want to see and spend time with the other partner, too.

Dogs may be attracted to humans’ beds, especially if they’re elevated, “because they are comfortable and strategically in a good position,” letting dogs keep watch over their surroundings, Dr. Some dogs will never want to sleep with their owners, especially if the owner snores or moves around a lot at night.

The retina of the eye has two main types of cells—rods, which detect light levels and motion, and cones, which differentiate colors. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow – this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.

Get the light right At night, the room should be pitch black. If your dog’s sleeping area is too bright there is less efficient production of the hormone melatonin, which can adversely affect circadian rhythm (body clock).