Detecting and reporting animal cruelty are the two most important steps in bringing animal cruelty to an end. But how do you know what constitutes abuse and how do you know what to look for? These tips can help in detecting intentional (murdering, maiming, torturing) and negligent (starving, etc.) abuse:
"WATCH"
W - Weight
Does the animal look thin or emaciated?
A - Age
Is the animal very old or very young to be in the present situation?
T - Temperature
Is the animal outside longer than a 2-hour period in less
than 10 degrees F (longhaired) or 32 degrees F (shorthaired)
in winter? Is the animal without shade in summer? Is the
animal locked in an unventilated car with temperatures around
or above 70 degrees F? (Estimated temperatures based on
precedents set from past cases.)
C - Condition
Does the animal have water? Is the animal fed once a day?
Is the collar too tight? Is the chain too short? Is their cage
so small that they can't stand up, turn around, and lie down?
Is the animal's living area unsanitary? Has the animal been
abandoned? (no footprints leading to animal, etc.)
H - Health
Is the animal sick, injured, lethargic, or distressed?
If you answered "Yes" to ONE or more of these questions when observing an animal, you should notify the Schenectady, Schoharie and Saratoga County SPCA cruelty investigators by visiting the "Filing a complaint" webpage.
