** IMPORTANT! If an animal is in immediate danger, please contact the Vermont State Police or your local law enforcement agency directly. **

If you believe a situation involving an animal is in violation of the law, please file your complaint with the law enforcement agency that serves the town where the animal is residing. Usually this will be a municipal police department or the Vermont State Police.  We will work with the law enforcement agency to provide support and care for the animals if requested.

animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors from neglect to malicious harm. Most cases of cruelty are unintentional neglect that can be resolved through educating owners and providing resources.

Intentional cruelty or abuse is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care; or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal.

The state of Vermont has specific definitions of animal cruelty, as well as a process for reporting incidents. To learn more about Vermont’s animal cruelty laws visit:

• VT statutes: Title 13, Chapter 8 Humane and Proper Treatment of Animals
• VT Statutes: Title 13, Chapter 9 Animals

If you believe a situation involving an animal is in violation of the law, please file your complaint with the law enforcement agency that serves the town where the animal is residing. Usually this will be a municipal police department or the Vermont State Police.  We will work with the law enforcement agency to provide support and care for the animals if requested.

What happens when I report animal cruelty or neglect?

When an animal cruelty or neglect report is submitted, the town’s Animal Control Officer (ACO) or law enforcement agency should visit the animal owner who is the subject of the complaint. In most cases, the ACO first tries to rectify the situation by educating the pet owner about how to provide better care for the animal(s). If the situation does not improve, a ticket may be issued or a search warrant may be obtained. Law enforcement and ACO’s are very busy so you may not get a call back. Investigating a report can take time, so don’t expect to see immediate change. You can remain anonymous anytime you register a report of cruelty or neglect.

Humane Investigations at HSCC

Each year, our Humane Investigator assists law enforcement to help resolve animal cruelty and neglect cases within Chittenden & Grand Isle Counties and beyond.

In efforts to help people and their pets we will respond to situations, and when appropriate, educate and provide information and supplies in order to help promote responsible pet care.

Learn more about how to help animals and become more involved:

• Educate yourself about Vermont’s animal cruelty laws at the VT statutes website.
• Report any suspected case of animal cruelty or neglect to the appropriate agency.  Do your research first – an ACO cannot investigate if they don’t have an accurate address.
• Be active at the town level. Real cruelty or neglect is a crime and, as such, needs to be investigated by law enforcement or an Animal Control Officer. Find out if your town has the means to investigate reports of cruelty and neglect and to enforce the laws. If they don’t, work to ensure your town hires and trains an Animal Control Officer.

 Additional Resources:

• The Vermont Humane Federation
• The Humane Society of the United States (Facebook Page) 
• The Humane Society of the United States: Vermont