Report Cruelty
To report concerns for animal cruelty, neglect, and/or abandonment, please contact our shelter at 419-352-7339, or send an email to our Humane Agent.
We depend greatly on input from the community for information concerning alleged animal cruelty and neglect. If you suspect you have witnessed animal cruelty, neglect, and/or abandonment in Wood County and would like to report it, please call us at 419-352-7339, or complete a report that will be sent directly to our Humane Agent. If you are leaving us a voice message, please leave your name, your phone number and date calling when leaving a message in our voice mail box. This way, if you are disconnected and we have further questions, we can reach out for more information.
Our Humane Agent is a dually appointed law enforcement officer whose role is to enforce Ohio laws (ORC 959) pertaining to animal cruelty, neglect, and abandonment within Wood County. This position is generously funded, in part, by the Wood County Commissioners. We depend greatly on input from the community for information concerning alleged animal cruelty and neglect. If you suspect you have witnessed animal cruelty, neglect, and/or abandonment in Wood County and would like to report it, please call us at 419-352-7339, or complete a report that will be sent directly to our Humane Agent. If you are leaving us a voice message, please leave your name, your phone number and date calling when leaving a message in our voice mail box. This way, if you are disconnected and we have further questions, we can reach out for more information.
Per Ohio Revised Code, there are two categories of cruelty and neglect: intentional and unintentional (neglect). Intentional cruelty is when a person or persons purposely/knowingly inflicts physical harm on an animal or animals, such as beating or torturing. Neglect is the failure to provide an animal or animals with the necessities of care, such as access to clean/fresh water, food, shelter from hot and cold weather, veterinary care, and a clean-living environment. In instances of neglect, unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted, or allowed to continue, when there is a reasonable remedy or relief for the animal(s).
Our Humane Agent is best able to perform their duties when provided with detailed descriptions of suspected cruelty and neglect situations. Can you describe the incident or incidents of animal cruelty and neglect that you suspect you witnessed, including type, number, and description of animals involved? Look at the body condition of the animals; can you see ribs, or other bony prominences? Is their coat matted, dull in appearance, or missing fur? Is water readily available to the animal(s)? Is there shelter from hot and cold weather? Can you provide a description of the person(s) involved in the incident(s)? What is the date/time of the suspected incident(s) of abuse? These are all questions we ask or need details on when filling out a cruelty investigation report. Remember, any details that you can provide will increase our chances of ensuring that the law is upheld and that we are doing our part in owner education, and animal rescue.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remain anonymous when I file a complaint about animal cruelty?
If we have further questions about the complaint you submit (such as a more precise location of where the cruelty/neglect/abandonment is occurring) and we cannot get a hold of you, the animal(s) may suffer longer. Please be assured that complainant information is not readily released by our Humane Agent, and every measure will be taken to ensure confidentiality.
Will I be notified or updated about the status of the complaint I filed?
We employ one agent for all of Wood County and receive hundreds of calls annually, so in most cases, no, you will not receive updates about the status of your call. Our agent responds to all complaints filed with our organization, and we are a private entity, meaning we do not process public records requests like a government agency. You may email our agent and ask for updates, but please understand that just as we keep your information confidential from the animal owner, case information may be kept confidential from you. Most calls we receive end up in owner education for better care of the animals, or unfounded (meaning no laws are being broken).