The Humane Society of the United States frequently receives correspondence from individuals concerned about sites on the Internet that celebrate and encourage the exploitation of animals. In many cases, what appears to be illegal activity is actually protected under the law as free speech.
If you see a website that promotes or glorifies animal cruelty or exploitation, take these steps:
1. Do not contact the person running the site. In many cases, creators of offensive websites are encouraged by the negative attention they receive in response to their site. For this reason, we discourage people from emailing or otherwise contacting the individuals who run offensive web sites.
2. Contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) hosting the site. In response to complaints they receive from concerned visitors, ISPs have in many cases removed sites because they determined that the sites' content violated the ISP's User's Agreement. The "WHOIS" lookup tool at www.DNSstuff.com can help you find contact information for the owner of specified domain/hostname.
3. Resist spreading the word. If you have concerns about a web site, contact your elected officials. Please do not contact friends and neighbors. Many well-intentioned individuals believe that the best course of action is to tell all of their friends and relatives about such web sites. Sometimes online petitions against a site will be generated. Ultimately, such petitions or mass emails only increase the number of visitors to a website, encouraging the site's creator.
The HSUS shares your concern and frustration over the content of sites that promote animal suffering or otherwise glorify the exploitation of animals. The HSUS consistently works to increase public awareness of many animal exploitative issues, including those encouraged by offensive websites. Thanks for your concern and active participation in monitoring potentially harmful sites.
