Abuse & Neglect

Animal Abuse & Neglect

You see it everywhere. Whether you witness an act of animal abuse or see the results of an animal neglected through ignorance, whether you hear media reports of shocking instances of cruelty, or whether you are concerned about a family member exhibiting signs of being an animal abuser… animal abuse and neglect is all around us.

Sometimes we feel so helpless in the face of cruelty, particularly when it involves the dog next door or the cat across the street and we must watch it day after day. In many states a simple phone call to the proper authorities may resolve the matter. In other states such as North Dakota it becomes more vague and frustrating.

Each state decides what kinds of acts are considered abusive or neglectful in that particular state. Each state then decides if those acts are to be considered misdemeanors or felonies and how severe the penalty should be for the conviction of those acts.

Since no standard of animal treatment exists you can well imagine the disparity in laws and punishments from state to state. California for instance considers animal cruelty a felony on the first conviction with maximum fines of $20,000, 1-3 years in jail and mandatory psychological counseling. In Oregon a Class C felony cruelty conviction includes a maximum fine of $100,000 and seven years in jail.

On the other end of the spectrum are states like North Dakota. Regardless of the severity of the cruelty, the offender can be convicted of no more than a Class A misdemeanor, receive a maximum fine of $2,000 and one year in jail. North Dakota is one of only thirteen states that does not consider some form of animal cruelty a felony.

The Role of Animal Shelters

As the state law now stands, animal shelter personnel do not have the authority to investigate abuse/neglect situations or remove animals from those situations. Only law enforcement officials have that authority.

Personnel from organizations such as the Circle of Friends Humane Society can accompany officials to assess an animal’s physical condition if requested. We can also help law enforcement with transporting animals, receiving animals or providing shelter and vet services for animals involved in abuse/neglect cases.

We can also advise individuals concerned about abuse/neglect situations. We can inform individuals about state laws and the proper authorities to contact. For more information, call us at 701-775-3732.

Implementing Change

There is a better way to protect animals in the state of North Dakota, but it requires the assistance of everyone concerned about the welfare of animals.

Change must begin with the humane treatment laws at the state level. Those laws are changed by implementing an education campaign for the public and exerting pressure on lawmakers to revise existing statutes.

The Circle of Friends Humane Society is committed to this important project. Our Board of Directors has established a Legislative Committee for the purpose of implementing change. By gathering information, researching appropriate changes to the humane treatment laws and disseminating information to legislators and the general public we hope to begin that change. Our hope is that in the 2005 legislative session, revisions can be made to existing laws that will enhance the protection of animals in North Dakota.

There are four goals our organization would like to see achieved by revisions in the humane treatment laws.

Classify some forms of animal abuse/neglect as felonies. Implement more severe penalties for those convicted of abuse/neglect.
Designate animal shelter staff to be trained and certified to investigate and remove animals from abusive/neglectful situations.
Review and revise North Dakota Humane Treatment Laws to address in more detail the proper care of animals.
Identify youth offenders as potential adult criminals and implement counseling programs.

What can you do?

If you witness an abuse or neglect situation report it immediately to local law enforcement. Depending on where you live, local law enforcement is your city’s police department or the county sheriff’s department.
Describe the situation in detail to the law enforcement official.
If the abuse is ongoing, document each time you witness an incident and describe each incident in your written documentation.
Be prepared to sign a complaint or to testify against the offender. If you are not willing to provide eyewitness testimony there may be little law enforcement can do. The legal system requires proof that a crime has been committed. You are the only one who can provide such proof if you witnessed the abuse.
Contact your legislators and tell them how important animal protection issues are to you and others who care about animals. Urge them to implement changes recommended by animal shelter across the state.

Contact Legislators

Click here for a list of North Dakota legislators and the districts they represent.

Click on the links below to contact your congressmen in Washington D.C. Encourage them to vote for bills that advance the protection of animals at the national level.

http://www.house.gov/pomeroy/contact.htm - Representative Earl Pomeroy
http://www.senate.gov/%7Edorgan/contactme/contact.cfm - Senator Byron Dorgan
http://conrad.senate.gov/offices.html - Senator Kent Conrad

ND Humane Treatment Laws

Click here for a copy of the Humane Treatment of Animals Chapter 36-21.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. (PDF*)

Circle of Friends Humane Society
4375 N. Washington St.
Grand Forks, ND 58203
Phone: 701-775-3732
Email: gfhumane@yahoo.com