Social media has made it so much easier to call attention to injustice. But with this ease comes the temptation to overshare information. There is a right and a wrong way to handle a situation in which an animal is being neglected/abused. Here are some Do's and Don'ts we have learned over the years.
do
Do Report. If you live inside the city limits, contact animal control or the police department. If you live outside the city limits, call the sheriff's department. There is no animal control in most counties, so reporting MUST go through the sheriff's department. It is important to call, even if nothing gets done immediately. It establishes a point in time that a problem was noticed and creates a timeline as calls come in over time. We know it can be frustrating when there is not an immediate response, but without a county animal control service and law enforcement not always familiar with laws regarding animals, sometimes it will take time. You can let the rescue/shelter you think will be handling the situation with the responding agency know, but don't contact just the rescue and expect them to handle it. Animal agencies do not have police power in Mississippi, so they must rely on law enforcement agencies. Things move faster and are taken more seriously if it comes from law enforcement. So please, always call your local law enforcement agency.
On the flip side, this also lets the sheriff's department gauge how many animal calls they receive in a year and it might lead to some changes in those departments for the better handling of these calls.
Do Be Familiar With The Statutes. Sheriff Departments and rescues get a lot of reports on what people believe to be neglect/abuse, but isn't actually against the law. By being familiar with the statutes, you help keep reports factual and professional.
Do Keep Records. Take pictures if you can do so without endangering yourself (FROM THE PUBLIC ROAD). Write down each time you are in the area, what you saw, the weather, temperature, and any vehicles you see. This is especially helpful if you record these things along with your call(s) to the sheriff's department. When and if something is done, you can turn this information over to them, as it may prove useful in their case.
Do Ask Questions. Rescue is largely based on education. By asking questions and getting correct answers, you are helping put accurate information out into the public. The more people know, the better it is for everyone. Rescuers want to work themselves out of a job!
Do Agree To Disagree. What you see as abuse and neglect is not going to be the same as the next person, or even rescue to rescue. In order to be professional, one has to set their personal beliefs aside and stick to what the law considers to be abuse and neglect. If everyone could agree to disagree for the sake of the greater good (applying current laws to the best of their ability), much could be done. Doing what you can with what you have is better than doing nothing at all. Example: "I think horses shouldn't be tied up all the time and provided shelter." I can believe that, but I shouldn't tell people it is illegal or expect an agency to enforce this, as it is opinion and not law.
Do Get Involved. We are the change we want to see in the world. You don't have to spend every weekend volunteering. Or even any. You can donate $1 a week to a cause you support. Save all your nickels or dimes or quarters for a year and donate them. Or be a spokesperson. The more people know about your favorite cause, the more likely they are to get involved in some way too. The more support a rescue or shelter has, the better their capabilities to respond to a situation should the need arise.
Don't
Don't Post Addresses or Suspect's Names On Social Media. Everyone is connected to everyone on social media. It is just a matter of time before that person's cousin, coworker, friend, ex, worst enemy sees and calls or texts them to warn them or rub it in. Not to mention there are crazy animal people out there. Why does it matter if they know they are being put on blast? Because they can run home and move animals, provide food/water/shelter where there was none, and "fix" the problem they have been accused of before law enforcement and rescues have a chance to step in. It also means that well meaning people may drive to the address and take animals, provide food/water/shelter, and accidentally mangle any evidence there might have been of wrongdoing. Basically, keep reports off social media as much as possible.
Don't Trespass. Any evidence provided to law enforcement from your trespassing is null and void. The case is over before it can begin. It will not hold up in court. Not to mention it could land you in jail with charges against you while the suspect walks free. Reporting is a long game, and must be played as such. There is no room for impatience and rash decision making.
It should go without saying, but do not steal or turn loose animals.
Don't Feed the Animals. As hard as it is to see an animal starving/thirsty, this is a no no. By providing food and water before law enforcement and rescue shows up, you are providing evidence of care for the animals, not against. For instance, if I see a horse with no food or water, and I throw hay over the fence, when law enforcement arrives to take pictures and assess the situation, there is now food where there was none and this may mean the difference between being within the confines of the law and not. Also, without knowing anything about the animal, you run the risk of overfeeding or the risk of a reaction to the food you fed....making you liable if the animal is injured or dies. Going back to the horse I throw hay to, if it has problems chewing and ends up choking and dying, I am now responsible for killing someone's horse, not the person who left it with no food.
Do Not Get Discouraged. Reporting can take time or lead nowhere. If you KNOW there is a violation of the law, don't give up. You can write letters to the papers or to the department or court that didn't respond appropriately. Do not speculate, accuse, or threaten. As hard as it is, put your personal feelings aside and stick to the facts. Ask questions (civilly). "Why is it that this is not considered a violation of the law? Do you not have a rescue you can call upon for help in situations like this? What would help in the future reporting to ensure something can be done?" Yes, some places still have the "good ole boy" system and it won't matter what you do or say. But sometimes they just don't know what to do or who to call. By opening the lines of communication, you have the opportunity to help.
Do Not Promote Violence. As angry as the things you may see make you, do not threaten, encourage, or talk about injuring someone. Express your disappointment in their behavior and seek to educate.
Do Not Bash. Everyone has their opinion on how things "should" be done. Don't bash a rescue/agency/person because your personal beliefs are different from theirs. Sometimes nothing can be done for reasons that aren't always available to the public. Rescues are often full, officers often busy. Often, unless a situation is life or death, it has to be tabled for a little while so resources can be pooled and plans can be made. This doesn't mean that they don't care. It means they have an obligation to the animals currently in their care as well as the ones in question.
Don't Trespass. Any evidence provided to law enforcement from your trespassing is null and void. The case is over before it can begin. It will not hold up in court. Not to mention it could land you in jail with charges against you while the suspect walks free. Reporting is a long game, and must be played as such. There is no room for impatience and rash decision making.
It should go without saying, but do not steal or turn loose animals.
Don't Feed the Animals. As hard as it is to see an animal starving/thirsty, this is a no no. By providing food and water before law enforcement and rescue shows up, you are providing evidence of care for the animals, not against. For instance, if I see a horse with no food or water, and I throw hay over the fence, when law enforcement arrives to take pictures and assess the situation, there is now food where there was none and this may mean the difference between being within the confines of the law and not. Also, without knowing anything about the animal, you run the risk of overfeeding or the risk of a reaction to the food you fed....making you liable if the animal is injured or dies. Going back to the horse I throw hay to, if it has problems chewing and ends up choking and dying, I am now responsible for killing someone's horse, not the person who left it with no food.
Do Not Get Discouraged. Reporting can take time or lead nowhere. If you KNOW there is a violation of the law, don't give up. You can write letters to the papers or to the department or court that didn't respond appropriately. Do not speculate, accuse, or threaten. As hard as it is, put your personal feelings aside and stick to the facts. Ask questions (civilly). "Why is it that this is not considered a violation of the law? Do you not have a rescue you can call upon for help in situations like this? What would help in the future reporting to ensure something can be done?" Yes, some places still have the "good ole boy" system and it won't matter what you do or say. But sometimes they just don't know what to do or who to call. By opening the lines of communication, you have the opportunity to help.
Do Not Promote Violence. As angry as the things you may see make you, do not threaten, encourage, or talk about injuring someone. Express your disappointment in their behavior and seek to educate.
Do Not Bash. Everyone has their opinion on how things "should" be done. Don't bash a rescue/agency/person because your personal beliefs are different from theirs. Sometimes nothing can be done for reasons that aren't always available to the public. Rescues are often full, officers often busy. Often, unless a situation is life or death, it has to be tabled for a little while so resources can be pooled and plans can be made. This doesn't mean that they don't care. It means they have an obligation to the animals currently in their care as well as the ones in question.
