Animal Cruelty

On March 10, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team members arrived in Fulton County, New York, to assist the Montgomery County SPCA with a critical hoarding intervention. Nearly 100 dogs—including Pit Bulls, Basset Hounds, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas and Lab mixes—were discovered living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions on a property owned by two women.

Many of the dogs were forced to live in filthy crates, while others were found roaming the home. Food and water were scarce, and many of the animals were clearly malnourished. The dogs were also suffering from a host of ailments, including skin and eye infections. Several also tested positive for heartworm—a condition that takes at least six weeks to treat.

“The owners took in unwanted dogs from across the country, many from the South,” says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA Northeast Regional Director of Field Investigations and Response. “In this case, the women became overwhelmed by the number of dogs in their care—they obviously needed help and voluntarily gave us custody of the animals."

With the generous assistance of local law enforcement, the team placed the animals with various partner animal welfare agencies including the SPCA Serving Erie County, Columbia Greene Humane Society, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, and the Montgomery County SPCA.

"Thanks to the combined efforts of our partner agencies, these dogs now have a second chance at life," says Eyre.

To learn more about FIR Team interventions, visit our ASPCA Raids and Investigations page.

Last night, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Brooklyn resident Monique Smith for fatally injuring an adult female hamster. During a heated argument with a family member, the 19-year-old squeezed the hamster with her bare hands and threw the pet across the street.

“Inflicting such severe injury on a helpless hamster signals the potential for violence directed at other vulnerable victims,” says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for the Humane Law Enforcement. “Fortunately in New York, all pets, even hamsters, are covered under the felony animal cruelty law.”

The deceased hamster was taken by Agents to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for a necropsy. Results revealed that the small animal had suffered blunt force trauma, liver damage and an associated hemorrhage.

Smith was arrested by Special Agent Patrick Breen. She was charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony; one count of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor; and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

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.

In Ohio, calves raised for veal typically are housed in tiny stalls, often chained at the neck, making it is impossible for them to turn around, stretch or even lie down comfortably. This barbaric practice is used to prevent muscle development—ultimately producing a more “tender” meat, without regard for the well-being of the calves themselves. The American Veal Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Ohio Veterinary Medical Association all reject this practice and support living conditions that allow veal calves to turn around.

In 2010, the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board approved a new standard: By the end of 2017, veal calves of all ages must be given enough room to be able to turn around. However, in a tragic turn of events, the board met yesterday (March 1) and approved an amendment that will allow veal farmers to continue to confine calves in tiny, individual pens for the first 10 weeks of their lives.

“We are very disappointed that the board voted 6-5 in favor of removing language that would have allowed calves of all ages to turn around,” says Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives. “Since veal calves generally live only 16 to 18 weeks before they are slaughtered, these animals will be confined to tiny crates for more than half of their short lives.”

Take Action!
If you live in Ohio, tell the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board that you believe calves raised for veal should be provided with enough space to be able to turn around—at all stages of their lives. Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center today to email the board and urge it to reconsider yesterday’s amendment.

Don't live in Ohio, but still want to help? Tweet this post or share it on your Facebook page or blog. To learn more about the suffering of veal calves visit our Help End Factory Farming page.

Thank you for speaking up for these under-protected animals.

“This was a senseless attack on an innocent animal,” says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for Humane Law Enforcement.

Early this morning, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Queens resident Jerry Melendez for beating his five-year-old Chihuahua, Spotye.

The investigation began on February 10, when ASPCA Agents responded to a call from a local animal hospital. A Chihuahua suffering from serious trauma and multiple seizures had been admitted by his owner. Spotye had to be euthanized due to the extent of his injuries.

The remains were signed over to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital for a necropsy. Results revealed that the Spotye had sustained a fractured skull caused by blunt force impact, and suffered from hemorrhage to his left eye.

“This was a clear-cut case of violent abuse,” says Wolf. “Animal cruelty is a serious crime, and we are doing everything we can to see that the victims receive justice.”

Melendez, 33, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Debbie Ryan and charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty, a felony. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.

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.

And don’t forget to share this page with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.