ANIMAL CRUELTY
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Sometimes when you groom a pet with Coat Management Disorder (CMD), you may have concerns for its immediate or future welfare.
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Fluffy might be suffering from cruelty.
Defining Animal Cruelty
There are many kinds of animal cruelty acts which are generally divided into two main categories: cruetly resulting from intential actions, and cruelty resulting from inaction. (https://www.animallaw.info/intro/state-anti-cruelty-laws)
Intentional actions of cruelty include torturing, injuring, and overworking an animal.
Cruelty from inaction is the kind we are likely to see as groomers.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists the following as Physical Signs of Cruelty:
• Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat
• Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites
• Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn't being treated
• Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes
• Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes
• Heavy discharge from eyes or nose
• Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally
• Tight collar that has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet's neck
• Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible
• Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
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Recording Animal Cruelty
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A description of the pet, the location of the pet, and the nature of the problem are all required when making a complaint to authorities about animal cruelty.
Complete and detailed information about pet’s pre- and post-grooming condition will aid agencies in investigating a complaint.
Photographs are also helpful in substantiating complaints.
Complaints can be made anonymously, but signed statements from witnesses are the most helpful to investigators.
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Coat Management Disorder Condition Record form makes it easy to gather necessary details for making an animal cruelty complaint.
Reporting Cruelty
It can be a difficult decision for a groomer to report animal cruelty to authorities.
However, if you suspect an owner will not seek necessary veterinary care for an untreated injury or illness, if they refuse to book a future grooming appointment, or miss the one they did book, you can notify your local government’s animal care agency about the pet’s condition.
Call your local animal care agency directly
or
Submit complaint via agency's website or your town’s non-emergency phone number (311 in US and Canada)
