Report Animal Cruelty

It can be heartbreaking to see a neighbor’s animal suffering in a situation of neglect. Most reported cases are simply corrected by educating the owners about how to properly care for their pet. It is the first goal to educate the owners and keep the pet with the family. The owners are instructed how to properly care for their pet and given a reasonable time frame in which to correct the situation. If the owners do not comply, when warranted, the process will begin to remove the pet from the home. Pets are considered property and cannot randomly be removed unless they are in a life-threatening situation.
In Florida, it is a crime to abuse or cruelly kill an animal, or to confine an animal without sufficient food, water, exercise and veterinary care when needed. Florida’s Cruelty to Animals Statutes (Chapter 828) apply to all animals, not only dogs and cats. Arrests for animal cruelty have occurred in Florida in cases involving fish, snakes, Muscovy ducks, pigeons, wild pigs and many other animals.

If you believe that an animal is being abused or neglected, please take action by calling Polk County Animal Control at 863-577-1762. You may be the animal’s only hope.

If you witness illegal hunting or fishing, the capture or killing of a protected species or other wildlife/environmental law violation, please report it by calling the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922.