Animal Abuse or Neglect -

Animal Hoarding

Animal hoarding occurs when individuals accumulate more animals than they are able to care for properly. This issue is complex, involving aspects of mental health, animal welfare, and public safety. It is characterized by a person’s inability to meet the basic needs of their animals, including adequate nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care. As a result, the animals often suffer from malnutrition, illness, and even death. In many cases, individuals who hoard animals are unaware of the harm they are causing, believing instead that they are helping their pets. Signs of animal hoarding may include:

A large number of animals in the home.
A home in poor condition, such as dirty windows, broken furniture, and significant clutter or structural damage.
A pervasive ammonia smell, along with floors covered in feces, urine, vomit, or other waste.
Animals that appear underweight, lethargic, or poorly socialized.
The presence of fleas and vermin.

If you suspect someone is struggling with animal hoarding, it’s important to reach out for help. Call the LCSO Animal Abuse Task Force at (239) 477-1622. A simple phone call could be the first step in getting both the individual and the animals the support they need.

Medical / Veterinary Care

Veterinary care must be provided. The following signs may indicate that it is needed:

Untreated, open, or infected wounds
Limping, which could suggest an old or untreated injury
Hair loss, redness, or thickened skin, potentially indicating a parasite infestation or skin infection
Severely matted fur that limits the animal’s movement, causes urine scalding, or hides wounds and infections
Eye infections, including squinting, redness, discharge, or frequent pawing at or rubbing the eyes
Ear Infections, marked by frequent head shaking or scratching
Overgrown or cracked hooves
Difficulty chewing food or food falling from the mouth, which may point to dental issues
Significant weight loss despite an adequate food supply

Adequate Food/Water

Food must be nutritionally sound to maintain the animals’ health and adequate weight

The food should be free from contaminants, including debris, bacteria, or mold.
Visible ribs and hips may indicate that an animal is not receiving adequate nourishment.
Clean, fresh water must always be accessible to the animal in a sanitary container.
The water should be free from debris, algae, or any other contaminants.
Rainwater is not considered an acceptable water source.

Adequate Shelter

The shelter must be large enough to allow the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
The shelter must include a roof, floor, four walls, and a doorway, providing adequate protection from all weather conditions.
Plastic barrels, crates covered with tarps, or similar structures are not considered acceptable forms of shelter.

Excessive Breeding / Overcrowding

Large-scale, unlicensed breeders pose a significant concern. However, with your help, we can take strong action against cruelty in puppy mils and other substandard breeding operations. The following are examples of Excessive Breeding/Overcrowding:

Female animals being bred multiple times per year
Absence of proper veterinary documentation
Breeders refusing to allow buyers to inspect the living conditions or meet the animal’s parents
Animals sold before they have been weaned
Animals housed in undersized kennels, possibly lacking adequate shelter from the elements
Animals confined to wire-bottom cages with no solid surface to stand on
Animals displaying signs of neglect, such as wounds, matted or missing fur, and overgrown toenails
Unsanitary conditions, including accumulated feces beneath or around kennels

Physical Abuse

Any individual who purposely and intentionally inflicts harm or suffering upon an animal – through actions such as hitting, throwing, kicking, or violent handling – will be held accountable under the law.

If you witness abuse, please immediately call 911 and LCSO’s Animal Cruelty Task Force: – (239) 477-1622.

If you witness a dog fight in progress, call 911 and LCSO Animal Cruelty Task Force immediately - (239) 477-1622

Dogfighting

The vicious blood “sport” of dog-fighting is still thriving underground. The Humane Society of the U.S. estimates more than 40,000 people participate in organized dog-fighting in the U.S., and hundreds of thousands more participate in impromptu street dog-fighting.

Possible indicators of dog fighting:

Dogs exhibiting scars on their face, front legs, hindquarters, and thighs, as well as puncture wounds, swollen faces, and mangled ears, are clear signs of fighting. If you observe dogs with these characteristics, immediately contact the LCSO Animal Cruelty Task Force.
A four-sided fighting pit, often constructed from chain-link fencing or other makeshift materials, may be a few feet high and could show signs of blood from previous fights.
Pit bulls kept on heavy chains, sometimes with padlocks, are often confined in sheds or other restrictive areas, particularly in urban settings.
Multiple pit bulls showing signs of abuse, injury, lack of neutering, or socialization may indicate illegal fighting operations.

Items and equipment used in dog fighting:

A Breaking Stick is used to pry open a dog's mouth to break up a fight. Typically around a foot long, flat on one side, and often bloodstained, it is a common tool in dog fighting.
The Jenny mill, or cat mill, is a device with a harness and a rotating center shaft, from which a spoke extends. A small bait animal is attached to the spoke, enticing the dog to chase it, promoting both prey drive and physical conditioning.
A Springpole is used to build a dog's neck and jaw muscles for fighting. The dog bites and holds onto the springpole, which is usually made of rawhide, knotted rope, a tire, or other materials, suspended from a beam or tree branch.
Dogfighters use treadmills, either homemade (like the slat mill) or electric, as conditioning tools. A chain or harness is typically used to tether the dog to the treadmill.
Medical supplies are often found in illegal dogfighting operations. Commonly used drugs include dexamethasone (steroid), amoxicillin and ampicillin (antibiotics), Canine Red Dog (iron supplement), and Winstrol-V (steroid).
Before a fight, handlers will wash and inspect their dog under the supervision of a referee to remove any poisonous or caustic substances that might have been applied to the dog's coat as a form of cheating. Therefore, the presence of wash tubs may indicate preparation for a fight.

Animal Abuse or Neglect

Animal Hoarding

Medical / Veterinary Care

Adequate Food/Water

Adequate Shelter

Excessive Breeding / Overcrowding

Physical Abuse

If you witness a dog fight in progress, call 911 and LCSO Animal Cruelty Task Force immediately - (239) 477-1622

Dogfighting

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