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Animal Cruelty FAQ
- What constitutes animal cruelty?
- Hampton city and Virginia State code describe animal cruelty as torture, ill treatment, inhumane injury, unnecessary beating, maiming, mutilating or killing of any animal (some exclusions apply - refer to 3.1-796.122 for full VA State Animal Cruelty code or Hampton City code 5-77 for the full City of Hampton Animal Cruelty code) . Both codes also describe depriving any animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or emergency veterinary care. Cases of animal cruelty are usually extreme in nature. An animal in its backyard, for instance, without shelter does not necessary constitute animal cruelty but may instead constitute a situation of inadequate care that can be easily remedied.
- What is inadequate care?
- Cases of inadequate care come under Virginia State Code 3.1-796.68 or Hampton City code 5-79 (for the entire written codes please refer to these code sections). Code states that each owner must provide for his companion animals adequate food, water, clean shelter, space, exercise, and veterinary care. Often these situations can be rectified quickly and Hampton Animal Control often utilizes education to remedy these situations and to prevent future ones.
- How can I report a case of animal cruelty or inadequate care?
- To report any related issue, including these call Hampton's 311 call center. From inside city limits and from a land line, simply dial 311. From outside city limits or from a cell phone dial 727-8311. A call taker will take your information along with the particulars of the complaint you wish to make. This information will next be dispatched to one of our Animal Control Officers to investigate.
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