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EIGHT STEPS TO HELP
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE
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Animals in Texas are protected from abuse, neglect, and abandonment by Sections 42.09 through 42.10 of the Texas Penal Code. Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies often give low priority to animal cruelty cases or they simply lack the funds, personnel, and experience to pursue cases vigorously.
The following information is provided by the Texas Humane Legislation Network to assist citizens who want to help stop animal abuse. If you believe that you have witnessed a violation of Section 42.09 or 42.10 we encourage you to follow these eight steps. By getting involved, you can increase your effectiveness as an advocate for animals and help ensure that Texas laws will be enforced.
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- Document the situation
Documentation is crucial to successful prosecution of a case, so be as accurate as possible. Write down as many facts as you can: the name, address, and description of the person you witnessed breaking the law and, if known, the time that they are normally home; a description of the animal, including breed, sex, color, condition; the date and time the violation occurred; a description of the abuse or neglect and any weapon or instruments used; a description of the scene-animal's shelter, water, food (if any), weather conditions, sanitary conditions. If possible, take photographs of the animal and the scene.
- Report the incident
Report the incident to authorities in your area. This could be the police department, animal control, sheriff, or local humane organization. Calmly and unemotionally state the facts as you have documented them and request an investigation. Write down the name, title, and phone number of your contact and get a commitment to be updated with the results of their investigation. Record the date and time of your call and a summary of your conversation. If you don't hear back by the time agreed on, call again. If you still don't receive results after a reasonable time, consider moving to the next step.
- Contact a higher authority
Advise your contact that you are not satisfied with the results so far and request the name of their superior. If necessary, work your way up the chain of command until you reach the head of the agency. At each level, request an investigation into the violation and politely ask for an explanation of why the agency has failed to act on your complaints. Remember to document every conversation.
- Contact elected
officials
If you believe the law enforcement agency is unwilling or unable to respond, begin contacting the elected public officials who oversee the agency for the public. If it's an incorporated area, talk with the mayor or a city council member. If it's outside a city, talk to the county commissioners. Provide the officials with a clearly written copy of all the documentation you have collected, including a one-page cover sheet summarizing the entire series of events. Ask what can be done about the problem and makes notes of the meeting.
- Alert the media
As you make your way up the chain of command, contact the news department at your local newspaper, radio, and television stations. If possible, talk to a reporter in person and provide a copy of your documentation. Explain the contents and ask what can be done about the problem.
- Conduct your own campaign
If local reporters or editors are not interested in your story, you can still use the media to capture public attention. For example, submit a "letter to the editor" of your local newspaper. (Short, succinct letters are more likely to get published.) And, place phone calls to radio and television listener call-in shows to express your concern that state laws are not being enforced in your community.
- Support candidates who care about animal protection
issues
If your elected officials are not sympathetic to your concerns, seek out those who do care.
THLN does not endorse specific candidates; however, we encourage you to consider each candidate's record on animal protection issues before you vote. It is especially important to support incumbent legislators who have sponsored animal protection laws.
- Join "The Network"
The mission of THLN is to promote humane treatment of animals through legislation, education, and advocacy. We need individuals who are willing to:
- contact their legislators
- serve on phone teams making calls
- serve as a phone team coordinator
- attend legislative hearings
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