IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE CALL 911
and then contact MFHS and make a report.
and then contact MFHS and make a report.
When time is of the essence and an animal (or animals) are in need of immediate help, don't hesitate. Call 911. If possible, after/while calling 911, safely/lawfully video or photograph the incident. Examples of reasons to call 911: When an animal is being abused, is injured, appears to need immediate help (life-threatening situation/condition), is abandoned, or is running at large and their or the public's safety may be at risk.
It is important that you read through the following information ENTIRELY prior to filing a report.
It is important that you read through the following information ENTIRELY prior to filing a report.
Important: Please contact 911 (emergency) or local law enforcement (non-emergency) and make a report first. Please do your best to REMAIN CALM and BE SAFE. Whenever possible, take photos/video of the incident or take notes/document as it is occurring and again, remain safe. BE PREPARED to be asked by dispatch for the address. Provide factual information to dispatch as clearly and as calmly as possible. Request a welfare check if needed and ask for an incident report number. After you have filed a report with law enforcement please file a report with our office. Fill out the online report form as thoroughly as possible and please provide the name of the law enforcement department you contacted and the incident report number, so we are able to follow up with law enforcement as soon as possible. Filing a report with both law enforcement and Minnesota Federated Humane Societies can be important in resolving animal welfare concerns and receiving the best outcome for both animal and human victims.
Attention Witnesses/Complainants: If you are a first hand-witness please continue reading the instructions below on how to file a report. If you are providing information given to you from a first hand-witness we ask that you contact them and let them know that we requested they also fill out a report. While it may be best for a case if the first-hand witness is willing to come forward, witnesses can choose to file confidentially. If you are providing information received from another party please make sure you indicate that information and your association to the witness and/or to the alleged violator/suspect in your report.
You can report suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect in four ways. However, we request and advise that you file your report online using the online report form.
Evidence Submissions/Important Note: You can attach supporting documents, photos or short video to the MFHS Online Complaint Form which can be access above or below these instructions. It is best to submit supporting documents via email to [email protected]. Indicate the address in the subject matter of the email and be factual, thorough and as brief as possible in describing the suspected animal cruelty. If you are submitting photo/s or short video (up to 30 seconds) please make sure you include the dates of the photo/s and/or video along with a brief, factual description for each. -Thank you.
When submitting a complaint or concern include the following;
When submitting photos, screenshots, short video or supporting documents please follow these important instructions.
The following is an example of how to submit supporting evidence (photo/s and/or video) via email to [email protected]
1. In the subject line of the email please type the address where the animal/s are located and/or brief description of animal/s so we can identify the email and attach the supporting evidence to the correct case report.
Example: (Subject: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000, 2 dogs/possible neglect)
2. Provide a brief description of your concern in the body of the email.
Example: 2 dogs seen at (address). Dogs appear thin. One looks injured, limping. One looks to possibly be pregnant. Drinking from puddles. I called (provide the name of the law enforcement dept. and any other organization you reported to). Provide the date/time you made the report.
3. Attach photo/s, short video up to 30 seconds and/or supporting documents . Example of documents: veterinary record/s or incident report/s. Please only attach up to 5 photos and or documents and only 1 video per email submission.
While you might know what is going on in the photo/video, we need you to briefly and factually describe it and provide who took the photo/video, the location, the date/time. Below are examples of what is required when submitting photo/video:
Attention Witnesses/Complainants: If you are a first hand-witness please continue reading the instructions below on how to file a report. If you are providing information given to you from a first hand-witness we ask that you contact them and let them know that we requested they also fill out a report. While it may be best for a case if the first-hand witness is willing to come forward, witnesses can choose to file confidentially. If you are providing information received from another party please make sure you indicate that information and your association to the witness and/or to the alleged violator/suspect in your report.
You can report suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect in four ways. However, we request and advise that you file your report online using the online report form.
- Filing an online report is the most efficient and most effective way to get our investigations team the information we need so that we can address your concerns as quickly as possible. Read through the instructions on this page and then click here or click on the FILE AN ONLINE SUSPECTED ANIMAL CRUELTY REPORT dark blue button below these instructions. Fill out the form as completely as possible. You must provide the address where the animals are located. If there is absolutely no address available, please provide cross streets along with a description of the property and a landmark. Provide time/date stamped photos or short video of the property. Do not trespass. If you are able to locate the property using online mapping, take a screenshot of the property, (showing the cross streets to help us locate it) and use your photo editing tool on your mobile device to circle the property and attach it to the complaint form where indicated (or email the screen shot to the address listed below if you have more than one photo or short video to attach).
- If you are absolutely unable to use our online reporting system, please submit an email complaint or concern to [email protected] (NOTE: You must use the reportanimalcruelty email address to report suspected animal cruelty, abuse, torture, mistreatment, and/or neglect. DO NOT use the general MFHS email address to report suspected animal cruelty. If you have more than one attachment please submit additional photos, documents and/or short video to this email address. Please reference the address/location of the animals you are reporting or reference the type of complaint in the subject area of the email report you are submitting.)
- If you are absolutely unable to use our online reporting system or cannot submit an email complaint, call 612.866.8663. Regular office hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday CST. Voicemail is available during and after business hours. (NOTE: Please make sure you speak slowly and clearly, leave a brief factual description of why you are calling and include the address where the animal(s) are located and your contact information.) If you do not get a response back after you have left a voicemail, please make sure you have reported to law enforcement and ask someone to assist you in filling out the online report form or submitting and email. We want to make sure your concerns pertaining to reports of animal cruelty are addressed as quickly as possible.
- If you are absolutely unable to report online, send an email or call, you may submit your report and supporting information to MFHS, Investigations Dept., PO Box 416, Anoka, MN 55303. We may not be able to get to your report for several days if submitted this way. Under no circumstances should you submit a report via traditional mail if an animal or animals require immediate or lifesaving attention. Call 911. Report to our office after you have notified law enforcement.
Evidence Submissions/Important Note: You can attach supporting documents, photos or short video to the MFHS Online Complaint Form which can be access above or below these instructions. It is best to submit supporting documents via email to [email protected]. Indicate the address in the subject matter of the email and be factual, thorough and as brief as possible in describing the suspected animal cruelty. If you are submitting photo/s or short video (up to 30 seconds) please make sure you include the dates of the photo/s and/or video along with a brief, factual description for each. -Thank you.
When submitting a complaint or concern include the following;
- Your name
- A phone number and/or email address where you can be reached should we have questions
- The address where the suspected animal abuse, neglect or cruelty has or is taking place (an address is needed)
- A description of the animal(s)
- The name and contact information of the alleged violator should you have them
- A brief and factual description of the suspected animal abuse, cruelty and/or neglect you feel has or is taking place
- If you have specific dates and times, please include those
- If you have photographs or video, submit the photos or video as well along with a brief description and date and time the photographs or video was taken. You may email 2-4 photos per email or a short video typically 15-30 seconds is sufficient. If additional photos and/or video is available, please let us know.
- Please indicate if you wish your name and contact information to be confidential.
Note: Cases that have first-hand witness statements and supporting evidence with a witness willing to step forward typically get better results.
When submitting photos, screenshots, short video or supporting documents please follow these important instructions.
The following is an example of how to submit supporting evidence (photo/s and/or video) via email to [email protected]
1. In the subject line of the email please type the address where the animal/s are located and/or brief description of animal/s so we can identify the email and attach the supporting evidence to the correct case report.
Example: (Subject: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000, 2 dogs/possible neglect)
2. Provide a brief description of your concern in the body of the email.
Example: 2 dogs seen at (address). Dogs appear thin. One looks injured, limping. One looks to possibly be pregnant. Drinking from puddles. I called (provide the name of the law enforcement dept. and any other organization you reported to). Provide the date/time you made the report.
3. Attach photo/s, short video up to 30 seconds and/or supporting documents . Example of documents: veterinary record/s or incident report/s. Please only attach up to 5 photos and or documents and only 1 video per email submission.
While you might know what is going on in the photo/video, we need you to briefly and factually describe it and provide who took the photo/video, the location, the date/time. Below are examples of what is required when submitting photo/video:
1. 2 dogs. One male, possibly a cattle dog/blue heeler type, blk/brn. spotted coat. One female, possible border collie type, black/white. Appears thin.
2. Dogs had no collars. Seen scrounging for food and drinking from puddles.
3. Location where photo/video taken: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000
4. Photo taken by (provide name of person who took photo)
5. Photo taken on (provide date) and (time).
2. Dogs had no collars. Seen scrounging for food and drinking from puddles.
3. Location where photo/video taken: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000
4. Photo taken by (provide name of person who took photo)
5. Photo taken on (provide date) and (time).
1. 2 dogs. One male, possibly a chow mix, brown. Appears young. Thin. One female, German shepherd mix, mostly black w/some brn. Possible pregnant or may have pups.
2. Dogs had no collars. Seen scrounging for food and drinking from puddles. Male appears injured, limping.
3. Location where photo/video taken: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000
4. Photo taken by (provide name of person who took photo)
5. Photo taken on (provide date) and (time).
Please note: Photos and video taken with smart devices are typically time/date and location stamped. Select the photo/video, touch the photo and slide up. This should reveal the time/date and location. If this does not work on your smart device please search how to locate the time/date/location stamp for your particular device. Once located, screenshot this information and include it with the individual photo/video.
2. Dogs had no collars. Seen scrounging for food and drinking from puddles. Male appears injured, limping.
3. Location where photo/video taken: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000
4. Photo taken by (provide name of person who took photo)
5. Photo taken on (provide date) and (time).
Please note: Photos and video taken with smart devices are typically time/date and location stamped. Select the photo/video, touch the photo and slide up. This should reveal the time/date and location. If this does not work on your smart device please search how to locate the time/date/location stamp for your particular device. Once located, screenshot this information and include it with the individual photo/video.
Reports of suspected animal abuse, cruelty and/or neglect are typically responded to within 24 hours or sooner. If you do not get an email or phone call confirming your complaint, please reach out again after 24 hours to ensure your report has been received. Once a case becomes an active investigation, we will not be able to provide you with updates. We will contact you if we have questions or require additional information.
Please DO NOT knowingly report false concerns-it's unlawful and costs precious resources that are needed to investigate and help animals in real need of assistance.
609.505 FALSELY REPORTING CRIME. Subdivision 1. False reporting. Whoever informs a law enforcement officer that a crime has been committed or otherwise provides information to an on-duty peace officer, knowing that the person is a peace officer, regarding the conduct of others, knowing that it is false and intending that the officer shall act in reliance upon it, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who is convicted a second or subsequent time under this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
609.505 FALSELY REPORTING CRIME. Subdivision 1. False reporting. Whoever informs a law enforcement officer that a crime has been committed or otherwise provides information to an on-duty peace officer, knowing that the person is a peace officer, regarding the conduct of others, knowing that it is false and intending that the officer shall act in reliance upon it, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person who is convicted a second or subsequent time under this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
Thank you for taking the time and caring enough to report suspected animal cruelty in the state of Minnesota.
Should you witness animal cruelty, abuse, torture, mistreatment or neglect/violations of animal welfare laws within the city limits of St. Paul, Minnesota please contact 911. The city of St. Paul has contracted professional animal control officers. To reach St. Paul Animal Care and Control (SPAC) click here. Please then file a report with MFHS and let us know you contacted St. Paul PD/SPAC. -Thank you
Report suspected animal illness/disease and concerns pertaining to licensing of kennels, border facilities, shelters and rescues to the USDA/MN Animal Board of Health. Please then report your concerns to MFHS by following the same instructions as above.
You can email MN Animal Board of Health programs at one of the addresses below:
You can email MN Animal Board of Health programs at one of the addresses below:
- Animal movements and cattle: [email protected]
- Dog and cat imports: [email protected]
- Compliance: [email protected]
- Dogs and cats: [email protected]
- General inquiries: [email protected]
- Farmed cervid program: [email protected]
- Livestock concentration points: [email protected]
- Poultry program: [email protected]
- Swine: [email protected]
Contact Internal Affairs and Affirmative Action | Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Internal Affairs and Affirmative Action is an independent service that processes and investigates complaints against DPS employees and oversees the department's affirmative action, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation efforts.
To file a compliment or to file a complaint against one or more employees of DPS, which includes these divisions: Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Driver and Vehicle Services, Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Minnesota State Patrol, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Pipeline Safety, Office of Traffic Safety and State Fire Marshal click here.
Should you have questions, please e-mail DPS at [email protected] or call 651-201-7136.
Internal Affairs and Affirmative Action is an independent service that processes and investigates complaints against DPS employees and oversees the department's affirmative action, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation efforts.
To file a compliment or to file a complaint against one or more employees of DPS, which includes these divisions: Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Driver and Vehicle Services, Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Minnesota State Patrol, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Pipeline Safety, Office of Traffic Safety and State Fire Marshal click here.
Should you have questions, please e-mail DPS at [email protected] or call 651-201-7136.
Together we creative positive change and make a real difference in the lives of animals as well as our communities
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