DaisyCares is excited to launch Millie’s Mission – a new program designed to reduce animal abuse in Bexar County through public education and awareness. Millie’s Mission was created to honor, Millie, the beloved bulldog of co-founder, Cassie Ross. Despite the innocence and unconditional love given by animals, they are far too often treated with cruelty. If your reaction is like ours at DaisyCares, it’s almost too painful to read or hear about a story of animal abuse and so we often do nothing. DaisyCares’ goal is to empower people to step up and fight animal abuse. Every action that each of us takes to stop animal abuse is a voice that will help save and protect animals, since they don’t have a voice of their own. Unfortunately, animals are still considered personal property in Texas. As such, they don’t have the rights or protections many people would expect. Often, animal abuse cases aren’t prosecuted or, if so, the penalties were are no more than a slap on the wrist.
So what can you do to help?
First, you can support local, state and national legislation and petitions that aim to protect animals anywhere. Even if the bill or law is in New York, your support will save animals lives and help the law to set a precedent for other states and cities. It may seem like an inconvenience, but the few minutes it takes to support a bill will make a significant impact.
Second, report acts of animal abuse. Take pictures, give specific notes and any other details that can help the appropriate officers stop the abuse. Too often, the information is inadequate to support action on the abuse or the abuse is no longer happening at the time the officer responds to the call. If possible, leave your number and contact information in case the officer has follow-up questions. Research has shown that the same people who abuse animals often abuse woman and children, so when you take action to stop animal abuse, you may also be protecting an innocent child or spouse from abuse as well.
How can DaisyCares help?
In addition to reducing animal abuse by promoting public education and awareness through Millie’s Mission, DaisyCares is also opening its vet care grant program to local shelters for grants that will provide veterinary aid to abused animals so that they can receive the help they need to find a new home full of love and promise (http://daisycares.com/daisy-cares-veterinary-care-program). DaisyCares will also open its vet care grant program to battered women residing at shelters to help keep women with their pets during their stay.
Please help us reduce acts of abuse against animals-together we can make a difference.
FAQ
How do you report animal abuse in San Antonio?
If you want to report a case of animal abuse/cruelty or need animal control services in the San Antonio/Bexar County area, you should call 311 from 8am – 7pm Monday – Friday to reach Animal Cares Services (ACS). 311 is a non-emergency dispatch center for the City of San Antonio and is located next to the San Antonio Food Bank.
The complaint is then routed to Animal Cares Services which can be reached at (210) 207-4738. The number for the cruelty line is (210) 207-6664.
Where does the complaint go? Is there a person at Animal Control or SAPD that is assigned to animal abuse cases?
Once the report is submitted, ACS has 4 full time Animal Cruelty Investigators that are available 24/7 to handle misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty cases in the 10 districts in the San Antonio area. ACS also has 32 Animal Care Officers that are trained in assisting the investigators in researching misdemeanor and felony cases. The investigators are ultimately responsible for leading all felony cases.
If the incident occurs in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office will handle the investigations. Because the Sheriff’s office does not have a shelter, they have a contract with ACS to shelter animals on an as-needed basis. They will also sometimes use ACS to help with investigations and lab work on an as-needed basis.
What happens to the animal?
It depends on the severity of the case. Some of the cruelty cases are resolved by educating the owners on how to better take care of their animals. ACS tries to remedy cases through education and keep the animal with their family when possible.
If the case is severe enough and the animal is found to be in immediate danger or the negligence is malicious, ACS is able to get a warrant from a judge to take the animal to the ACS shelter.
If ACS has to take a large number of animals at once, it may take longer to make arrangements for pickup and lodging in the shelter.
What happens to the offender?
Once an Animal Cruelty Investigator completes their case, misdemeanors are handled by the one or two dedicated animal cruelty City Prosecutors in the Municipal Courts. The cases can takes months to be resolved and punishment can range from citations to animals being permanently taken away from the offending owners.
ACS will partner with the neighborhood Conflict Resolution Officers at Police Department substations to handle initial meetings with offenders and to handle neighbor disputes that may arise because one neighbor reported another. Another resource they use to help with complaints are local Dispute Resolution Centers that will help neighbors resolve their issues through arbitration.
If the person who originally reported the offense wants to check in on the case, it’s best that they contact the Animal Cruelty Investigator who led the case.
How many animal abuse complaints are filed in a year?
Approximately 10,000 complaints were filed in 2010.
Are there any prosecutors assigned to animal abuse cases?
The Municipal Court process was recently revised for animal cruelty cases. At the Misdemeanor Level, an ACS staff member now attends an Animal Court that is held on every Friday. In the weekly Animal Court, they will go through approximately 25 or more cases.
There are prosecutors assigned to cases. In the Municipal Courts, there is a Prosecutor on hand for each of the cases. Most people don’t have their own attorney and will often plea bargain their cases.
How can we learn more about animal-related laws?
Municipal/local animal laws – Minicode.com
State codes, Texas Health and Safety Code – AnimalLawSection.org
Texas Department of State Health Services – Search for animal laws related to the OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY Title 9 Chapter 42 of Texas penal code.