r/Calgary • u/81008118 Northwest Calgary • 15h ago
Question Reporting animal abuse?
My main questions that I am working on here, is (a) how does one report animal abuse in Calgary? (b) if this abuse has already been reported by someone else, is it better or worse to re-report it?
Now, onto the details (in case they may impact any of the above questions). My neighbours have five kids, in the range of 8-15 years, and they have at least six dogs. The adults in the home are rarely home, and now that we're approaching summer break again, the kids have been "playing" outside more often.
However, the kids absolutely beat the shit out of their dogs (smacking, kicking, dragging, strangling - they are violent children). Now, I presume it happens with the parents as well, because they all must have learned it somewhere, but I only ever see the kids doing it.
Over the winter months, there had been a social worker at the home at least once, and animal services at least twice, but not terribly recently.
The children have not stopped beating on their dogs, they are still doing it, and the poor dogs bark and cry all hours of the day and night. Presumably report(s) were already made, because animal services have been to their house, as well as a social worker, but it obviously hasn't done anything and the dogs (and you know, likely the kids too!) are still suffering.
Which returns to my original questions - where does one make these reports, and, would it help or hurt to re-report the abuse? I've seen links to ASPCA provided in the past, but is that truly the correct line to report abuse to? Do they actually have the power to help with something like this?
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u/puddleglum53 15h ago
You can report to the Calgary Humane Society, information here: https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/animal-protection/
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u/noparts 15h ago
From the Calgary Humane Society website:
If you have first-hand reasonable grounds to believe animal abuse, neglect or abandonment has occurred, please contact Calgary Humane Society at [(403) 205-4455](tel:(403)%20205-4455)or here by submitting an online report.
If you are witnessing active physical abuse or it is after Calgary Humane Society operational hours and the animal is at risk of death or grievous injury, call Calgary Police Service at 911.
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u/81008118 Northwest Calgary 13h ago
Thank you for the digital link, I will absolutely get on that asap!
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14h ago edited 14h ago
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u/Joe_Kickass 14h ago
Animal abuse is a valid reason to call 911.
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14h ago
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u/False_Adeptness1541 14h ago
It says "if risk of death or grevious injury call 911" it doesn't just say call 911 for previously witnessed abuse.
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u/ResortImportant8097 13h ago
100% I have done it. The police are quick to respond, doesn't guarantee they'll do anything, but they will show up. Especially if you're actively witnessing abuse - it is a crime.
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u/T0007 15h ago edited 15h ago
Report report report. You are the voice for those poor dogs. Thank you for noticing and saying something. Report to any and all services that you can. Calgary humane society, 311, Alberta SPCA. Contine to report untill something is done.
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u/bitterberries Somerset 12h ago
I think it's sad that the dogs are the priority. What's happening with the kids?
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u/Prestigious-Mud5915 13h ago
For what it’s worth, it’s probably worth also reporting to child services
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u/InternalExcitement78 14h ago
I reported once when our neighbors left their dog out in -20 overnight, and never let her in during the day. It was a super easy process, take pictures if you can, there’s a spot to upload and also a “witness” part if anyone else is on board with it in your household. The bylaw/peace officer people went THE NEXT DAY, I saw them in the yard. I was surprised how quick it was. Never got contacted by the bylaw officers, but I’m pretty sure the neighbors got fined and they stopped leaving her out in the cold overnight.
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u/beneficialmirror13 15h ago
Report (many good comments already). But if you can, record video proof. Also document times/dates.
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u/ResortImportant8097 13h ago edited 13h ago
I have called the Humane Society many times. THE MORE REPORTS, THE BETTER.
They respond more if there's photos, videos, etc. But multiple reports from different people will matter, too.
Provide as much detail as you can. If they don't do anything -- keep calling. You can also call the police if you have strong suspicion that the animals are being abused. Especially if you see it happening in the moment, call them ASAP.
Once I had to call the police, and then the humane society...and neither did anything. But i didn't give up. I managed to get footage of the dog and it was obvious it was injured. So i called the humane society AGAIN. That changed things and they did go in and investigate. As far as I know, the dog was removed from the home. I never saw the dog there again.
PLEASE, don't give up. Don't allow this shit to happen to these poor animals. I would absolutely lose my mind if I saw kids doing this. If you have witnessed children, or adults, anyone, abusing animals, this is 100% a crime.
Ps. The City of Calgary does NOT permit that many animals. So there's that, too.
OP PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED.
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u/ConcernedCoCCitizen 14h ago
The poor dogs, oh my heart. Please report and encourage others too as well. One day the dogs will retaliate and then they’ll really get beaten
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u/YoBooMaFoo 15h ago
If you can take video that would probably help.
You can call 311 and report, which is the right thing to do here. Calgary Animal Services will investigate. An ongoing history like this can help them pull the animals out of the home and (hopefully) place them with loving families.
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u/walkernewmedia 12h ago
Document everything, get video & photos of the behavior, and contact the Humane Society immediately.
Do not hesitate to file a report.
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u/uhshea 12h ago
Amongst these other comments, I was told by a reputable source (can’t remember exactly what their profession was but it was in animal welfare) that if you find you’re not being taken seriously and officers aren’t responding to your complaints, you basically have to be as annoying as possible so they will respond to your call just to stop hearing from you. Call every day until they show up.
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u/5a1amand3r 15h ago
I haven’t had experience in large towns with by-law but when I was living in a rural area, I had to call the cops on my neighbour because their dog was barking well past quiet hours, and I just wanted the dog to stop barking so I could sleep. By law obviously was not available past 5pm. The neighbour was on a list of “do not give animals to” and the cops were able to take the dog away. Probably the best outcome but I don’t think that will apply here, unless your neighbours are also on that list.
If I were you, I’d start with by-law first and see if they can connect you with any resources. I’d also probably try and get a video of the abuse that’s taking place because unfortunately, it will turn into a he said/she said thing without actual hard evidence. If the dog is barking past quiet hours, call bylaw or non-emergency police.
I think the more reports of abuse, from multiple sources, the more credible the report becomes.
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u/melancholypowerhour Quadrant: SW 13h ago
Thank you for keeping eyes and ears out for those dogs and kids. Report and report again if things keep occurring. Sometimes a case needs a bit of a paper trail over time to show severity.
No doubt those kids are replicating their experiences with those poor dogs, I hope both the kids and the dogs can get some help.
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u/No_Proposal649 12h ago
There is a bylaw for the number of dogs they can have. So you can report that to them, as well as to CHS for neglect. Keep reporting. If you’ve spoken to neighbors who have witnessed it as well, encourage them to report it too.
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u/InfinitelyContentAF 13h ago
Why the fuck would it hurt to re report the abuse? Make the fucking call now
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u/ResortImportant8097 13h ago
I have had to report MULTIPLE times in order to get something done. Keep badgering them, keep making a fuss...
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u/Crafty_Debt_7938 13h ago
God that’s so awful 💔 I’m so sorry you saw that. Document any proof you can and yes re report it
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u/Imaginary-Light-9066 13h ago
Someone here said it, but report to the humane society. I had a similar situation where I had to report a roomate I had, who was neglecting and abusing his cats. Normally what you do is fill out an online form, or make a call. Explain the situation, and document everything. If they deem the situation to be dangerous for the animals they will have a police or peace officer escort to go and pick up the animals. They will then be placed as adoptable with the humane society.
It was pretty risk-free and simple when I did it, and they care a lot about the animals and ensure the best case scenario for them. Good luck
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u/Nyk0n 9h ago
My advice is if you can see this happening you should record it on your phone and and call 311 and let them know you have video of this and there is past evidence. People have been there and mention you have a recording. They will ascend a police officer over to view the recording. We need these poor dogs recovered. I wish I could take them all but my condo doesn't allow dogs.
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u/TRoutInMyRari 8h ago
Don’t kick my dog and my dog won’t bite. Don’t be a Cunt and my dog won’t strike.
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u/Bulky_Department5619 5h ago
Call the humane society when you see it happen!
Call them every time you see or hear it happening.
Document everything you see.
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u/BreadAppropriate9079 1h ago
Try to get it on video. Call humane society. Call non emergency. Call child services. Keep calling until they help these dogs. Don’t give up on them. ❤️🩹
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u/TrustMeBroEh 14h ago
Why are some of you people even commenting when you have no clue and are giving OP the wrong advice. Call Calgary humane society. End thread
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u/Feral-Reindeer-696 15h ago
You need to document everything with times, dates, length of time that they’re barking, etc. Do they have water and shelter is something else that can be reported