IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE CALL 911 and then contact MFHS and make a report.
Whenever possible please contact 911/local law enforcement and make a report. Please then always file a report with MFHS. We know animal welfare laws. We investigate reports of animal cruelty, abuse, torture, mistreatment and neglect. It's what we do.
You can report suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect in three ways:
Preferred method:Read through the instructions on this page and then click here or click on the FILE AN ONLINE REPORT 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 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).
Submit an email complaint or concern to [email protected] (NOTE: You must use this email address to report suspected animal cruelty, abuse, torture and/or neglect. 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.)
Phone 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.)
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 to remain anonymous.
Note: Cases that have first-hand witness statements and supporting evidence with a witness willing to step forward typically get better results.
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
The body of your email containing photos and/or video should look similar to this;
Brief reason for report; 4 dogs found at gas station. Photo 1
1. 2 dogs. One male, possibly a cattle dog. One female, border collie type. 2. Address: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000 3. Dogs were found, no collars, appeared hungry and thirsty. 4. Possibly abandoned or lost.
Photo 2
1. 2 dogs. One male, possibly a chow mix dog. Appears to be young. Thin. One male, German shepherd mix. 2. Address: 123 W. ABC Street, City MN 00000 3. Dogs were found, no collars, appeared hungry and thirsty. 4. Possibly abandoned or lost.
Typically it's best not to attach more than 3-7 photos/descriptions or 1 video (best if no more than 30 seconds) in an email to [email protected] and submit them as small or medium in size to save memory when sending. Whenever possible, please do not send numerous individual emails. Please attempt to put as many photos and descriptions in one email as possible.
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.
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.
Thank you for taking the time and caring enough to report suspected animal cruelty in the state of Minnesota.