Animal Cruelty

A few years ago, Julien Roohani of Portland, Oregon, was at work when her roommates spontaneously decided to go on a hike. Not wanting to exclude Julien’s six-month-old Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Niña, they threw her into the back of their pickup truck and set off for an adventure.

Niña had never been in a truck bed before. Whether she was scared or just spotted something of interest, she managed to jump out during the drive. Panicking, the roommates called Julien, who rushed Niña to an emergency veterinary clinic where she was diagnosed with a broken spine and other severe injuries. Julien had no choice but to allow her young pup to be humanely euthanized.

Unfortunately, stories like Niña’s are all too common. It is never safe to drive with an unrestrained pet—especially with that pet in an open truck bed.

“When you drive with a loose dog in the back of your truck, you’re taking a huge risk and placing your dog and other motorists in danger,” says Chuck Mai, a vice president with AAA Oklahoma. “Even if a dog is trained, we’re talking about an animal who responds to stimuli on impulse. This irresponsible decision can start a deadly chain reaction on the road.”

Is It Legal?
Transporting unrestrained dogs in low-sided truck beds has been banned in a handful of states, including California and New Hampshire, and municipalities including Indianapolis, Cheyenne and Miami-Dade. However, in the vast majority of jurisdictions, it’s not even illegal to transport children in this manner, so we must rely on common sense and education to protect children and pets alike.

How You Can Help
One can feel terribly helpless witnessing a loose dog in a pickup truck. The best course of action is to try to get the vehicle’s license number (if you can do so while remaining safe) and call the local police. Rather than dialing 911, Jill Buckley, ASPCA Senior Director of Government Relations, suggests storing your police precinct’s phone number in your cell phone.

For more tips on how to travel safely with your pet, please visit our Virtual Behaviorist.

It was a devastating discovery. Last January, ASPCA Special Agents arrived at an abandoned Bronx home to find the emaciated body of a dog lying lifeless among piles of garbage and feces. A thorough investigation by our Agents led to the arrest of Cherika Alvarez. The 30-year-old was charged with abandoning her one-year-old Pit Bull, Alizé, mid November 2009.

A necropsy proved that the emaciated dog ate nothing but razor blades, bits of plastic, wood chips, garbage and ketchup packets for weeks before he died.

“This was a clear-cut case of severe and inexcusable animal neglect,” says Stacy Wolf, ASPCA Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for the Humane Law Enforcement. “The necropsy established in horrifying detail what this dog ingested in a futile attempt to stay alive.”

Last week, with strong evidence at hand, Judge Robert Sackett found Alvarez guilty of animal cruelty. She now faces up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine at her September 28 sentencing.

Take Action!
We need you on our side! If you suspect an animal may be the victim of neglect or abuse, please report it. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your neighborhood.

Love is in the air—and it's time to plan that special date! Here are our top picks for cruelty-free outings that are sure to get those sparks flying.

Skip the circus and head to a movie! Unlike animals under the Big Top, movie actors aren't forced to do anything cruel or unnatural. Besides, there’s nothing more romantic than holding hands and stealing a few kisses under the Big Screen. (Word of warning: skip the popcorn; kernels get caught in your teeth.)

Forgo the horse-drawn carriage and opt for a bike ride. Instead of making an overworked horse carry you through congested streets, take a cruise on a bicycle built for two. After all, what could be more fun than a relaxing tandem bike ride? Pack a picnic lunch and go for pedaling adventure.

Instead of window shopping for puppies, volunteer at your local shelter. Many couples find picking out a new puppy together romantic. But before you take your date window shopping, remember that virtually all puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. Why not head to a shelter instead? You’re sure to get warm fuzzies spending the day volunteering with your date—and you might not leave empty-handed.

For more fun action tips, visit our Get Involved section.

Most people go to the circus because they love animals—but the hard truth is they’re unwittingly supporting an industry that engages in animal cruelty.

In most circuses, animals are trained through fear and physical abuse. Even former circus employees have stepped up to the plate and reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water—all to force them to learn their routines.

Circus animals are deprived even their basic needs to roam, socialize, forage and play. Disturbing behavior such as swaying back and forth, head-bobbing, pacing and self-mutilation are all common signs of distress.

Take Action!

• Don't attend any circus that features wild animals. Instead choose animal-free circuses and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
• Ask local school boards to ban circus promotions.Circuses often engage in promotions with schools to encourage class field trips. Be sure to speak out against this!
• Fight for state and federal laws that help protect circus animals. Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to be alerted when it’s time to take action on animal-related legislation.

For a complete list of actions you can take, read our Top 10 Ways to Help Fight Circus Cruelty.