Are veterinarians obligated by law to report suspicions that an animal patient is a victim of cruelty at home?
Eleven states currently mandate that veterinarians report suspicions of animal cruelty, including suspected dog fighting activity, to the appropriate authorities. Many other states encourage veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty by granting civil immunity to those who make good-faith reports to the appropriate agencies. Such reporting is supported by professional veterinary organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The AAHA position statement on reporting, revised in 2003, states: “Since veterinarians have a responsibility to the welfare of animals and the public and can be the first to detect animal abuse in a family, they should take an active role in detecting, preventing and reporting animal abuse. While some states and provinces do not require veterinarians to report animal abuse, the association supports the adoption of laws requiring, under certain circumstances, veterinarians to report sus
Eleven states currently mandate that veterinarians report suspicions of animal cruelty, including suspected dog fighting activity, to the appropriate authorities. Many other states encourage veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty by granting civil immunity to those who make good-faith reports to the appropriate agencies. Such reporting is supported by professional veterinary organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The AAHA position statement on reporting, revised in 2003, states: “Since veterinarians have a responsibility to the welfare of animals and the public and can be the first to detect animal abuse in a family, they should take an active role in detecting, preventing and reporting animal abuse. While some states and provinces do not require veterinarians to report animal abuse, the association supports the adoption of laws requiring, under certain circumstances, veterinarians to report sus
Related Questions
- If I report my suspicions that a neighbor is committing animal cruelty, and that person’s animal is taken away and put in a shelter, isn’t the animal worse off?
- Are veterinarians obligated by law to report suspicions that an animal patient is a victim of cruelty at home?
- What punishment is suitable for animal cruelty, neglect, abuse, and scummy puppy mill owners?
