Learn More :: Animal Cruelty

Recognizing Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is not only wrong -- it is against the law. If you see signs of animal abuse, don’t keep it to yourself; abuse of any kind should be reported immediately.  We need your eyes and ears in order to identify cases of cruelty, abuse and neglect in our community.  Our animal cruelty investigators would not know about most cases of animal abuse without phone calls from concerned citizens.

By reporting suspected animal cruelty, you ensure that animals in jeopardy can receive lifesaving care and intervention.  By making a complaint, you help ensure that animals in need are rescued and that perpetrators of animal cruelty are brought to justice.

In the state of Illinois, all owners of companion animals (those animals considered to be pets, including, but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, horses, mules) are required by law to provide the following for each of their animals:

• sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water;
• adequate shelter and protection from weather;
• veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; and
• humane care and treatment

Failure of an owner to provide the above is considered animal cruelty, neglect or abuse.

Wish Bone Rescue Humane Investigators will respond to complaints of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect  for all companion animals in the vicinity of Bloomington/Normal, IL and to equine complaints in McLean County, IL.

Some Signs of Animal Abuse:

• collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound
• open wounds
• untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
• extreme thinness or emaciation
• fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites
• signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting, overgrown nails or dirty coat
• weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
• heavy discharge from eyes or nose
• a person striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
• animal abandoned in a residence, dumped out of vehicle or turned loose
• animals tied up outside for long periods of time without sufficient amounts of nutritious food or clean water
• animals being overworked
• animals kept outside in inclement weather without adequate shelter
• animals confined in automobile for prolonged period during extremely hot or cold weather
• animals kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them
• animals kept in kennels or cages  that are too small to allow them to stand up or turn around

Animal Hoarding

Animal hoarding is another type of cruelty and is a complex and intricate public health and community issue.  Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.  A companion animal hoarder is someone who:

• possesses a large number of companion animals
• fails to or is unable to provide what is required by law
• keeps the companion animals in severely overcrowded environment; and
• displays an inability to recognize or understand the nature of or has reckless disregard for the conditions under which the companion animals are living and the deleterious impact they have on the companion animals’ and owner’s health and well-being.   

Reporting Animal Cruelty, Abuse & Neglect

Please note, if the animal is in immediate jeopardy (such as a dog/cat in a hot car or animal being beaten), call the local police for an immediate response. They are always willing to help with companion animal cases. Bloomington police dispatch: 309/820-8888. Normal dispatch: 309/888-5030.

Wish Bone Rescue’s Humane Investigators are approved by the state of Illinois to investigate reports of abuse against all companion animals (those animals considered to be pets, including, but not limited to dogs, cats, parrots, horses, mules, etc.).

If you believe you have witnessed animal cruelty, please contact our Animal Cruelty Investigators at 309-808-4477, send an email to wbcrshelter@gmail.com or complete our online form. Please include your name and phone number in your email so our investigator may contact you for required details of the abuse you have witnessed. Your name will always remain confidential and the abuser will never be told who reported them. If it is possible to do so, take a photograph of the problem.

Please have as much of the following information as possible when you contact us:

1. Name & phone number of the offender, if known
2. Address where the animal is being kept, or good directions including nearest crossroad, township, etc.
3. The area where the animal is being kept (for example, rear yard, cellar, shed, etc.)
4. A description of the animal (type, breed, color, age, sex)
5. Dates and times abuse was witnessed
6. The nature of the abuse
7. License plate number (if automobile is involved) and description of the driver and/or passenger(s).