HOW TO REPORT SUSPECTED ANIMAL CRUELTY

The Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter currently DOES NOT have a cruelty officer on staff. As a result, we don't have anyone who can issue citations for animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty laws differ from state to state. What you see on Animal Planet may not apply to Pennsylvania. Indeed, if you've moved here from another state, what may have been illegal in your state may NOT be in Pennsylvania.

In Pa., animals are considered personal property -- like a car or a television. Officers can no more simply take a dog from a home than they could take a car or a television.

There need to be serious probable cause and, often, a warrant from a judge to confiscate animals.

Also remember that it is not illegal to keep a dog outside in Pennsylvania, as long as certain conditions are met.

Please understand that officers cannot go against state law. If you suspect animal cruelty or neglect, please click on the link below and fill out ALL FIELDS. Any report we recieve that is not completely filled out will not be processed.

All information is kept confidential, but we DO NEED the name, address and phone number of the person FILING THE REPORT so that we may contact you if the need arises. Keep in mind, sometimes we may ask that you appear in court to testify and your testimony -- depending on the details of the case -- may hinge on the verdict.

If you need IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, please contact the Pennsylvania State Police at 717-264-5161.

Thank you for being a concerned, caring, animal-lover.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT A CRUELTY REPORT