REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY
MINNESOTA VETERINARIANS ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS "MUST REPORT" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Covered person: veterinarian
Animal Abuse Reporting is: mandatory "must report" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Reportable Offenses: abuse, cruelty, neglect (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Report to: peace officers or humane agents (343.12, 343.29)
Sources: Minnesota Statutes 346.37. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Subdivision 6
https://www.avma.org/resources/animal-health-welfare/minnesota-animal-abuse-resources-veterinarians
Protecting Animals and Humans
By reporting suspicions to law enforcement, the veterinarian has the ability to stop potential violence and suffering and protect both animals and humans.
The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine has made the following 7 suggestions to help encourage veterinarians to report animal cruelty or to inform the Board if a veterinarian does not report it:
Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 401
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Telephone: 651-201-2844
Board Office Email: vet.med@state.mn.us
FAX: 651-201-2842
What is The Link?
Over the past 35 years, researchers and professionals in a variety of human services and animal welfare disciplines have established significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored: it is often an indicator or predictor crime and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe. http://nationallinkcoalition.org/
Purpose of The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual
The purpose of this manual (click on the link below) is to provide explanations of law and supporting materials so, as a veterinarian, you can develop protocols for your clinic or practice which can guide your actions should you or others face a suspected or known case of animal neglect, cruelty, or abuse. In addition to establishing protocols, information within the manual can also be used by veterinarians when assisting law enforcement in the investigation of animal cruelty cases. This manual is slanted more to smaller companion animals, though many of the principles and procedures described are applicable to horses, farmed animals, exotic animals, and wildlife. The term “animal maltreatment” is used throughout this manual and is meant to encompass any type of cruelty, neglect, torture, abuse, or other crime against an animal. NOTE: Information provided in this manual should not be considered legal or medical advice.
The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual:
https://www.animalfolksmn.org/documents/FINAL_AnimalFolks_VeterinarianManual_Reporting_031116.pdf
Veterinarians and the veterinary team are on the front line of animal cruelty. In the veterinary profession, you may be introduced to situations in your practice where animals have been mistreated. This maltreatment may also suggest violence within the home toward humans. All staff, from the receptionist and office manager to veterinary technicians and fellow veterinarians, need to know:
• how to identify and document animal cruelty
• how to report animal cruelty
• the role each person can play in the prevention of animal cruelty and breaking the cycle of violence.
The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual for Minnesota was developed by Animal Folks, a non-profit organization based in Minnesota, with the assistance of local and national experts in the areas of animal law and animal welfare. Credits are provided on various pages of the manual. A list of acknowledgments and references can be found on pages 162-70. This manual is written for veterinarians licensed in Minnesota and veterinary technicians. Animal Folks has received requests to adapt the data for use by veterinarians in other states. We are proud to work with foundations and organizations in other states to adapt the manual for their use. The manual was first written and published in 2016. Various updates have been made. The latest update was January 2020. If you have feedback or suggestions, please contact: Animal Folks at info@animalfolks.org
All legal content and contacts in this manual reflect the laws or agencies in Minnesota. As laws may change, please check the state website below for updates of laws cited. The Office of the Revisor of Statutes: www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/
Covered person: veterinarian
Animal Abuse Reporting is: mandatory "must report" (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Reportable Offenses: abuse, cruelty, neglect (346.37 e Subd. 6)
Report to: peace officers or humane agents (343.12, 343.29)
Sources: Minnesota Statutes 346.37. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Subdivision 6
https://www.avma.org/resources/animal-health-welfare/minnesota-animal-abuse-resources-veterinarians
Protecting Animals and Humans
By reporting suspicions to law enforcement, the veterinarian has the ability to stop potential violence and suffering and protect both animals and humans.
The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine has made the following 7 suggestions to help encourage veterinarians to report animal cruelty or to inform the Board if a veterinarian does not report it:
- Rule 9100.0700 Unprofessional Conduct, subpart 2. S. Unprofessional conduct is a reason for the Board to take action which could include license revocation per Statute 156.081.
- Note that the Rule says “law enforcement” so a veterinarian would meet the requirement by reporting to any type of law enforcement be it local, county or state. Please report suspected animal cruelty to Minnesota Federated Humane Societies.
- The Veterinary Immunity Bill: The Minnesota House and Senate passed the veterinarian immunity bill during the 2020 legislative session, providing protections to veterinarians for reporting suspected animal cruelty. The MN Governor signed the bill into law. The language is found in Minnesota Statutes section 343.215. Effective date was August 1, 2020.
- There is a whistle-blower statute as well that grants immunity for good faith reporting: MN Statute 156.124 It states: Any licensee of the board, person, agency, institution, facility, business, or organization is immune from civil liability for submitting a report in good faith to the board under this section or for otherwise reporting to the board violations or alleged violations of section 156.081 or any of the board's regulatory provisions, or for cooperating with an investigation of a report.
- What constitutes “cruelty” or “inhumane” treatment of animals in Minnesota? See Minnesota Statutes: 343.21
- Click HERE to file a complaint with the MN Animal Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- The Veterinarian’s Oath.
Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine
2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 401
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Telephone: 651-201-2844
Board Office Email: vet.med@state.mn.us
FAX: 651-201-2842
What is The Link?
Over the past 35 years, researchers and professionals in a variety of human services and animal welfare disciplines have established significant correlations between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored: it is often an indicator or predictor crime and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe. http://nationallinkcoalition.org/
Purpose of The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual
The purpose of this manual (click on the link below) is to provide explanations of law and supporting materials so, as a veterinarian, you can develop protocols for your clinic or practice which can guide your actions should you or others face a suspected or known case of animal neglect, cruelty, or abuse. In addition to establishing protocols, information within the manual can also be used by veterinarians when assisting law enforcement in the investigation of animal cruelty cases. This manual is slanted more to smaller companion animals, though many of the principles and procedures described are applicable to horses, farmed animals, exotic animals, and wildlife. The term “animal maltreatment” is used throughout this manual and is meant to encompass any type of cruelty, neglect, torture, abuse, or other crime against an animal. NOTE: Information provided in this manual should not be considered legal or medical advice.
The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual:
https://www.animalfolksmn.org/documents/FINAL_AnimalFolks_VeterinarianManual_Reporting_031116.pdf
Veterinarians and the veterinary team are on the front line of animal cruelty. In the veterinary profession, you may be introduced to situations in your practice where animals have been mistreated. This maltreatment may also suggest violence within the home toward humans. All staff, from the receptionist and office manager to veterinary technicians and fellow veterinarians, need to know:
• how to identify and document animal cruelty
• how to report animal cruelty
• the role each person can play in the prevention of animal cruelty and breaking the cycle of violence.
The Reporting Animal Cruelty: The Role of the Veterinarian Manual for Minnesota was developed by Animal Folks, a non-profit organization based in Minnesota, with the assistance of local and national experts in the areas of animal law and animal welfare. Credits are provided on various pages of the manual. A list of acknowledgments and references can be found on pages 162-70. This manual is written for veterinarians licensed in Minnesota and veterinary technicians. Animal Folks has received requests to adapt the data for use by veterinarians in other states. We are proud to work with foundations and organizations in other states to adapt the manual for their use. The manual was first written and published in 2016. Various updates have been made. The latest update was January 2020. If you have feedback or suggestions, please contact: Animal Folks at info@animalfolks.org
All legal content and contacts in this manual reflect the laws or agencies in Minnesota. As laws may change, please check the state website below for updates of laws cited. The Office of the Revisor of Statutes: www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/
Thank you to all the incredible veterinarians, vet techs and their staff. We could not do this important work without you. ~ Thank you!
