A concerned Your Stories viewer wants to know who you should call if you think you’re witnessing animal cruelty first hand.
The viewer is worried about a dog she sees in a neighbor’s yard that ison a five foot chain, round the clock in the front yard, with no foodand very little water in sight. She says her calls to local police andthe dog control officer were not returned.
Depending on where you live, there may or may not be animal controlofficers and depending on time of day, or night, you may havedifficulty getting a hold of your local police agency.
Paul Morgan, the Director of the Central New York SPCA said the bestthing to do is call 911. Morgan says if the call goes on record rightaway and if a police officer response is required, an officer can bedispatched right away.
The 911 directors and deputy directors in every local county agree: 911will take those calls and say you should not hesitate to call if yousee animal cruelty.
In Oswego County, Mike Allen says his call-takers will refer youimmediately to the appropriate animal control officer and give youtheir number. Fulton Police has its own full-time officer for thosetypes of calls.
It’s important to also keep in mind 911 calls are dispatched on a priority basis, human life and safety first.
