Go Orange To Show Your Support!

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

To help educate the public, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has

made April "Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month." People are urged to spend time this month to educate

themselves and others about existing animal cruelty laws and to support pending legislation.

Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that make intentional cruelty a felony

charge. Intentional abuse is just that – hitting, choking, kicking, deliberate starvation, etc.

Unintentional abuse comes from ignorance; the abuser does not know how to care for the pet and can lead to misdemeanor charges.

Some signs of possible abuse, according to the ASPCA, are: rapid weight loss,tick or flea infestations, patches of

missing hair, extremely thing or starving animals, animals who are limping or who appear to have

untreated wounds, dogs repeatedly left alone without food and water, dogs that are chained in a yard,

dogs kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions, and animals that cower in fear or act

aggressively when approached by their guardian.

If you suspect animal cruelty, you should report the crime to local animal control, local police or the

state police. On its Web site, the ASPCA provides a listing of agencies to which you can report animal

cruelty in your community.

For ways you can celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and get your community involved, visit the ASPCA's web site.