Vermont Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society
   
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Cruelty to Animals

For episodes related to this subject, please click on the link in the green bar above that says FOR THE ANIMALS TV SHOW.

VVSA works to protect the welfare of animals through investigation of cruelty and neglect complaints. We work with law enforcement agencies throughout the state.  Our tax dollars support these agencies and part of their responsibility under the law is to investigate concerns and complaints involving animals; do not be told otherwise.  While animals have no voice, you do and should speak up when you witness animal neglect or abuse.  Complaints can be anonymous and directed to your local humane society, sheriff, or police.  You may also call (877) 9-HUMANE (486263).  If you need additional help locating a local resource, please contact VVSA by email skaskiw@vermontel.net or phone at (802) 672-5302.  All correspondence with VVSA can be confidential.

An abuser does not stop to count the legs of its victims.  Bullies generally start with the weakest and often use abuse of animals to intimidate others in the home, especially children.

Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 8 addresses the humane and proper treatment of animals.  To view the law, visit 13 V.S.A. § 351 et seq. at http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/sections.cfm?Title=13&Chapter=008

The law addresses, among all other aspects of proper treatment of animals, “adequate” shelter.  During Vermont’s frigid winters, it is critical to provide animals, especially those left out of doors for any extended period of time, shelter that protects them from the elements.  Below are some helpful terms regarding what can happen to the body during freezing temperatures that apply equally to our animal companions.

             Definition Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature. It is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Hypothermia occurs when your body loses more heat than it can produce. It is usually the result of being exposed to very cold temperatures. But it can also occur in other circumstances, such as:


  • Being in less cold temperatures (eg, if there is a wind chill)
  • Wearing wet clothes or this case, being on wet or frozen bedding
  • Being in a position where the dog cannot move due to a short tether, tangled tether, etc.
Frostbite is frozen water in body tissues. Like burns, frostbite injuries can be ranked in severity. First-degree frostbite is the mildest. Fourth-degree frostbite is the most severe. It may result in loss of the affected body part. Photos of the dogs were not available, so it is impossible without an on site inspection by a veterinarian to ascertain the health and condition of these dogs.

The most common parts of the body to become frostbitten include:
  • Toes
  • Ears
  • Nose
  • Feet
  • Lips
  • Corneas
             Causes: Frostbite happens when skin is exposed to freezing temperatures. This can cause the body tissue to freeze. Ice crystals actually form within the frozen body part. Blood cannot flow adequately through the frozen tissue. This causes the frozen tissue to be deprived of blood and oxygen. The combination of freezing and oxygen deprivation causes tissue damage or tissue death. Rewarming may also ultimately lead to tissue death.

ANIMAL CRUELTY HAS MANY FACES… HOARDING, NEGLECT, ABUSE, TORTURE, TORMENT, AND ABANDONMENT.  SPEAK UP  ~ YOURS IS THE ONLY VOICE THEY HAVE!

EXAMPLES OF JUST SOME OF THE SITUATIONS THAT VVSA HAS ADDRESSED OVER THE 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ANIMALS.
                                                    EVIL WILL CONTINUE WHEN GOOD PEOPLE REMAIN SILENT.
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Owner relinquished and VVSA placed into a wonderful home!
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Thanks to the intervention of the Hooved Animal Sanctuary in Chelsea, this horse was given the needed attention that required to remove the painful burrs. Please consider supporting Deb Baker in her work to help animals. 802-685-7767
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POSTED 6 DAYS AGO BY M. M. SULLIVAN

Do You Hate Animal Abuse? Then You’ll Love What the FBI Is Doing About It! Starting in 2016, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will reclassify animal abuse as a “Group A” felony in its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which means that it will be a top-tier federal crime.

In the past, animal abuse crimes have been listed under “Group B,” which includes writing bad checks and trespassing, in the category of “All Other Offenses,” which is an aggregate of minor crimes. Under the new guidelines, however, abuse against animals will be comparable to more serious crimes, such as kidnapping and homicide.

The change will make it easier to track and quantify animal abuse crimes, which will hopefully result in improved enforcement and stronger accountability. With luck, the move will encourage municipal police to reform their policies to reflect the new law, and perhaps reduce or put an end to animal abuse by police and citizens alike.

The new animal cruelty category will include four offense types : simple or gross neglect, deliberate abuse or torture, organized abuse (e.g. dog fighting), and sexual abuse against an animal.

The FBI has been working with the National Sheriff’s Association and Animal Welfare Institute to implement the new category this year, and plan to collect data for such crimes beginning in January 2016. Animal cruelty statistics will be publicly available when the 2016 NIBRS is released the following year.

★ HOW CAN I HELP? ★ Animals deserve protection from people who are prone to abuse. The FBI’s new animal cruelty classification is a step in the right direction for changing how the law views animal abuse, but we can do more to help our furry friends.

If you see an instance of animal cruelty, you can report it directly to the FBI (if you live in the U.S.).

And you can sign the petition to create a public registry for animal abusers, and help stop animal crimes before they happen.


Read more at http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/animal-cruelty-felony-fbi/#JtPuXjWQxXmBM5Mv.99

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