Animal Cruelty Resources
How to get help if you witness an animal being abused or neglected
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If you witness an animal being abused or neglected, act quickly
Animal Cruelty Numbers
Animal cruelty may be reported also to Silent Witness at 480.948.6377. Anyone with information about a felony animal abuse case ANYWHERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY can call Silent Witness at 480.WITNESS. If you witness an animal being beaten, attacked or harmed in any way, IMMEDIATELY CALL 911!
Local Resources for Reporting Cruelty
Maricopa Co. Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Investigations Unit (M.A.S.H.)
If it’s during the day or not an emergency, call 602-876-1212 so they can track the calls. If it’s after hours or an emergency, call 602-876-1011, which goes to their 911 operators.
AZ Humane Society Ambulance Service/Cruelty Investigations 602-997-7585 ext.1 (Phoenix, Scottsdale & Tempe) azhumane.org. (Additional AZHS numbers listed further down page)
Maricopa County Animal Care & Control 602-771-3595 Maricopa.gov/pets
Arizona Game & Fish 602-789-3201 602-771-3595
Arizona Livestock 602-542-0872
Yavapai County Animal Cruelty Hotline 928.771.3595
Emergency Ambulance Service 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Animal Defense League of Arizona adlaz.org
Humane Voters of Arizona humanevotersaz.org
Contact your local police or county sheriff’s department at the below numbers
Apache Junction – 480-982-8260
Buckeye – 623-386-4421
Chandler – 480-782-4130
El Mirage – 623-933-1341
Glendale – 623-930-3000
Mesa – 480-644-2211
Paradise Valley – 480-948-7410
Peoria – 623-773-8311
Phoenix – 602-262-6151
Scottsdale – 480-312-5000
Surprise – 623-583-1085
Tempe – 602-997-7585
Tolleson – 623-936-7186
Contact the Arizona Humane Society to report abuse at the below local numbers
Avondale 623.333.7001
Buckeye 623.349.6400
Chandler 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 480.782.4130
Fountain Hills 602.252.7840
Gilbert 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 480.503.6500 or email police@ci.gilbert.az.us
Goodyear 623.932.1220
Glendale 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 623.930.3000
Mesa 480.644.2211
Paradise Valley 480.948.7410
Peoria 623.773.8311
Phoenix 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 602.262.6151
Queen Creek 602.876.1681
Scottsdale 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 480.312.5000
Sun City 602.256.1011
Surprise 623.222.4000
Tempe 602.997.7585 Ext. 2073 or 480.350.8311
What to do if you witness animal cruelty
FOLLOW THESE STEPS!
If an animal is in a life-threatening situation, call authorities immediately. Take photos and videos! Follow up with authorities in a timely manner to determine their findings and their planned course of action.
After you contact authorities, prepare a short written statement detailing the key points of what you observed. Give dates, approximate times, and locations. Timely fact-gathering is crucial—the more time that passes, the greater the risk that evidence will disappear, injuries will heal, or you’ll forget specific details. Written statements from other witnesses will help back up your observations, and if possible, take pictures and date them—photos or videos will strengthen your case.
Always keep a dated record of everyone you’ve contacted, along with the content and outcome of your discussions. Never forward a letter, photograph, or other documentation to anyone without first making a copy for your own files. Make it clear to authorities that you wish to pursue the case and that you are willing to lend your assistance if necessary. Be sure to follow up! If you stay involved, authorities are more likely to do the same.
If the first contact doesn’t produce results, go straight to a supervisor. If that doesn’t work, appeal to local government officials, such as the mayor, the district attorney, or city council members. A call to the media in your area (television and print) can move mountains. Use social media to get the word out and involve other people. Above all, don’t give up—you may be an animal’s only hope!
Helping abused or neglected animals can be difficult and heart wrenching, but they are depending on you to take action.