Animal neglect is the failure to provide basic care and mobile vet care in Los Angeles required for an animal to thrive. At first glance, such cases may seem less important than a single, brutal act of violent abuse, but severe neglect can mean extended periods of extreme suffering resulting in permanent injury or death. A single large-scale neglect case can affect hundreds of animals, as in cases of hoarding, puppy mills, and farm neglect.
Issues common to neglect cases
- Animal neglect is often associated with human neglect involving a child, elder or other dependent.
- Handling all of the animals involved in large scale neglect cases requires considerable effort and expense. All animal victims must be examined, treated, and cataloged as evidence and sheltered during the duration of a court case.
Most states’ criminal animal cruelty statutes define a minimum standard of care which requires that an animal caretaker provide water, food, shelter, and veterinary care. Animal abandonment may also be specifically addressed in some statutes. However, some animals such as farm animals, fish or wildlife may be excluded from anti-cruelty laws. Violations of state animal neglect are almost always misdemeanor violations. As a citizen in this world, it is important to always report animal neglect even if you are not sure if it is occurring. It is always best to have a situation checked out than risk an animal being mistreated on your watch. Also, you can make an anonymous report for your own safety and security. Remember, you are doing the right thing for the animal!