Animal cruelty is often broken down into two main categories: active and passive, also referred to as comission and omission, respectively.

Passive cruelty is typified by cases of neglect, in which the cruelty is a lack of action rather than the action itself. Examples of neglect are failing to provide adequate food and/or water, parasite infestations, allowing a collar to grow into an animal’s skin, inadequate shelter in extreme weather conditions, and failure to seek veterinary care when necessary.

In many cases of neglect in which an investigator believes that the cruelty occurred out of ignorance, the investigator may attempt to educate the pet owner, issue an order to improve living conditions of the animal and then revisit the situation. If the owner does not comply with the required changed it may result in the animal being removed from the home to ensure it no longer receives inadequate care. In more severe cases immediate removal followed by emergency medical care is required.

Active cruelty implies malicious intent, as when a person has deliberately and intentionally caused harm to an animal. Some cases include situations where animals have been beaten, burned, poisoned or stabbed to death have been reported.

Using animals as tools for profit is also considered animal cruelty. This practice can include dog fighting, cock fighting, illegal slaughterhouses and puppy mills.

People who commit acts of animal cruelty often portray themselves as animal lovers in front of others, making it difficult for people to recognize that they are the source of the problem. Unfortunately there is no one identifying feature that can indicate that a person is capable or responsible for committing such crimes. However, there may be some signs that indicate that an animal has been a victim of neglect or intentional cruelty. These signs can include:

·         Wounds on the body

·         Overgrown nails or hooves

·         Missing patches of hair

·         Extremely thin, starving animals with ribs and/or backbone    protruding

·         Infected eyes, often blood shot and red

·         Limping

·         Animal that are repeatedly left alone without food or water and are    often chained up in the yard

·         Animals who have been hit by cars and did not receive veterinary    attention

·         Animals who are kept outside without shelter in extreme conditions

·         Owner(s) kicking, hitting or physically abusing an animal

·         Animals who cower away from owners in fear

·         Animals who act aggressively toward their owners

·         Animals left in a car on a hot or cold day

·         Animals crammed in cages that are too small

·         Abandonment

·         Reptiles with dull, darkened skin, tremors, gaping mouth and    excessive saliva, or who have difficulty climbing

·         Aquatic or amphibious creatures with murky water

·         Illegal trapping or animals left in traps for extended periods of time

·         Excessive scratching of the head area, shaking of the head and dirt    and/or discharge in ears

·         Chronic diarrhea or vomiting

·         Animals kept in dirty conditions (eg. forced to stand in their own    urine and excrement)

·         Swelling, such as tumors and abscesses that are left untreated

·         Rabbits with a severe head tilt

·         Slaughter by untrained individuals

Canadian laws regarding animal cruelty have been in place since Confederation.  Animal cruelty is a serious crime and here are a number of ways to report it.  If you are not concerned with anonymity contact

§  your local Ontario SPCA Community investigations department at

705-566-9582 or www.sudbury.ontariospca.ca

§  Ontario SPCA Provincial office at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (1-888-668-7722)

§  Farm Animal Care Hotline at 1-519-837-1326

§  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food at 1-888-446-2372 ext. 6-4230 regarding illegal slaughter houses.