How to recognize animal cruelty:

Look for these common signs of neglect or intentional cruelty witnessed by Ontario SPCA investigators:

- Wounds on the body.
- Severely overgrown nails (often curling under) or hooves (often curling upwards).
- Patches of missing hair.
- Extremely thin, starving animals with ribs or backbone protruding.
- Infected eyes that have been left untreated.
- Limping.
- Animals who are repeatedly left alone without food and water. Often they are chained up in a yard.
- Animals who have been hit by cars and have not received veterinary attention.
- Animals who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions. Tropical birds especially cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
- An owner kicking, hitting or physically abusing an animal.
- Animals who cower fearfully or act aggressively when their owners approach.
- Severe flea or tick infestations left untreated.
- Animals left in a car on a hot or cold day.
- Animals crammed into tiny cages in overcrowded conditions.
- Abandonment (often when pet owners move or by unprofitable farmers).
- Reptiles with dull, darkened skin, tremors, gaping mouth and excessive saliva, or experiencing difficulty climbing.
- Aquatic and amphibious creatures kept in tanks with murky water.
- Illegal trapping of wild animals or animals left for extended periods in traps.
- Excessive scratching of the head area, shaking of the head and dirt or discharge in eats indicative of a possible ear infection.
- Chronic diarrhea or vomiting.
- Animals kept in dirty conditions including being forced to stand in their own urine and excrement.
- Swellings, such as tumors or abscesses, left untreated.
- Rabbits with a severe head tilt.
- Slaughter by untrained individuals.
What you can do:

Please call 905-885-4131 or email investigations@northumberlandhumanesociety.com or call your local police services (for emergencies after hours)

. Please provide your name and a contact number to validate your concern. ALL information is confidential.