Veterinarians’ Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
Veterinarians and other veterinary professionals play an integral and critical role in the fight against animal cruelty. Several states have imposed an affirmative duty on licensed veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty.
There are other states that although they don’t require reporting, they provide immunity to the veterinarian who does make such a report. Until 2020, only Kentucky actually prohibited veterinarians from reporting suspected cruelty.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website has an interactive map that lists veterinary reporting requirements by state.
See also the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s animal protection laws compendium to find the actual text of the law in your state together with your state’s cruelty provisions.
Focus Area
How We Work
Related
-
Animal Legal Defense Fund Adds $5,000 to Reward in Case of Endangered Red Wolf Shooting
Reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for illegally shooting and killing a red wolf in Tyrrell County, North Carolina.May 24, 2022 Press Release -
Evidence Shows University of Wisconsin-Madison Illegally Censors Critics of Animal Testing
Animal Legal Defense Fund files motion for summary judgement with damning evidence against the universityMay 19, 2022 Press Release -
$5,000 Reward for Information Regarding Dolphin Stabbed to Death in Gulf of Mexico
Animal Legal Defense Fund offers reward for information leading to the arrest and convictionMay 3, 2022 Press Release
