>> >> >>

What You Can Do About Animal Cruelty on The Internet


	©iStock
	There are steps you can take if you spot potential animal cruelty online.

Videos that depict illegal animal abuse are often circulated on the Internet for no other purpose than to incite others. There are also often hoax websites that appear to depict or promote animal cruelty but typically do not actually involve the harming of animals.

Both are harmful because they can potentially encourage and trivialize animal cruelty.

If you see a website or video on the Internet that involves animal cruelty, take these steps:

Download and save the offensive videos. If you have seen the offensive video or website, chances are good that others have as well. It is important to keep a record of either in case it is removed before law enforcement or The HSUS has a chance to respond. Videos from most sites can easily be downloaded for free by entering the url in Video Downloader.
Contact law enforcement. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. While the site is geared towards Internet fraud crimes, it is also the proper place to report animal cruelty that occurs online. If you can determine the location of the person posting the offensive video, or the person performing the cruel act, you should also report it to the appropriate animal control or sheriff.
Contact us. If the identity of the poster is not evident, contact us.
Resist spreading the word. Many well-intentioned individuals email the offensive website or video to as many people as possible to express their outrage, and some even create on-line petitions. Ultimately, such petitions or mass emails only increase the number of visitors to a website, encouraging the site's creator. Do not email the video or website unless it is necessary.
Don't flag for removal right away. If the offensive video is posted on a site that allows you to flag it for removal, please do so only after receiving confirmation from The HSUS or law enforcement that they have a copy of the video and are ready for it to be removed from public view.

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Cruelty

Bonsai Kitten Web Site

What You Can Do About Animal Abuse

Animal Cruelty Laws by State

Selected Research: Connections Between Violence toward Animals and toward People

What To Do If Your Pet Is Abused or Killed

Resources for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors