Central California SPCA Humane Officers investigate incidents of animal cruelty and neglect, educate the public on proper care for animals, and prepare and submit cases for prosecution to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Our team investigates over 400 reported cases of animal cruelty and neglect each year. Our Humane Officers have authority to enforce laws throughout the County of Fresno, including all incorporated cities. Our Humane Officers are empowered through California Corporations Code 14502 to exercise the powers of a peace officer while investigating animal-related crimes.
Most of the cases that our Humane Officers investigate are instances of unintentional neglect and can be resolved simply by educating animal owners on the proper way to provide necessary care. An intentional and malicious act of abuse or cruelty is when someone purposely and knowingly deprives an animal of proper care or adequate food, water, shelter, or allows the animal to go without necessary veterinary care, or tortures, maims, mutilates or kills an animal.
Below are some examples of the types of animal cruelty and neglect our our Humane Officers investigate on a daily basis:
- Intentional acts of cruelty; torturing, maiming, mutilating or maliciously killing an animal
- Poisoning
- Animal fighting
- Depriving an animal of proper care, food, water, shelter or necessary veterinary care
- Intentional or unintentional acts of neglect
- Animal hoarding
- Abandonment
- Unlawful inhumane or unsafe living conditions
- Inadequate exercise area
If you are aware of an incident of animal cruelty or neglect, please report it to the Central California SPCA at (559) 233-7722 (SPCA). Non-emergency reports may be submitted online using our Online Report Form.
Click here to view investigations.
REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF HUMANE OFFICERS
Our Humane Officers undergo extensive and ongoing training. This training includes the Penal Code 832 course which is the required training on arrest procedures, techniques, and firearms. It also includes 80 hours of initial training at the Basic Animal Law Enforcement Training Academy which is comprised of courses in animal care, identification of disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock, and humane laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer.
Every three years our Humane Officers return to the Advanced Animal Law Enforcement Training Academy for continuing education and training relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer. In addition to the required training and education, our Humane Officers attend numerous conferences and training seminars each year where they stay informed on any new or pending legislation and keep updated on how current laws are being interpreted and enforced.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE HELPLESS VICTIMS
Your generous donations make it possible for our Humane Officers to investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect. A donation of $500 can help two Humane Officers respond to reports of animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect for one day.
Please also consider making a contribution to our Wellness Fund which provides medical assistance to those animals in need, especially those who have suffered abuse, cruelty, and neglect.