Suspected Neglect or Abuse: What To Do
If you suspect a possible humane violation, the best thing to do is to contact
The Animal Humane Society of Minnesota Humane Investigations or your local county Sheriffs’ Department . MHARF cannot get involved in a case until we are called in by AHS or law enforcement. When making a humane complaint, you should always include an address for the location of the complaint, as well as your own contact information (a phone number where you can be easily reached). You can include photos or video if you have them, but please NEVER trespass on someone’s property to obtain this kind of evidence.
Issues AHS humane agents investigate include:
- Domestic animals and livestock lacking necessary food, water or shelter as required by law
- Animal fighting and hoarding
- Physical abuse or chronic neglect of animals
- Denial of necessary medical attention to animals who are sick or injured
- Illegal shooting, trapping, abandonment, poisoning, or torture of any domestic animal
- Potential injury from tangled leashes, ropes or chains
- Animals left in unattended vehicles and subject to conditions that would or could adversely affect the animal’s health or welfare
- Pet stores, petting zoos, boarding kennels, dog kennels, horse stables, and other facilities that are not meeting the minimum standards of care as required by law
Resources
Minnesota State Equine Laws
To answer some of the questions and concerns that we receive via email, we have decided to post the Minnesota Equine Laws on the website in order to educate and inform. There are other general laws that pertain to every animal (including cruelty, torture, abandonment, etc.) that are not posted here.
To answer some of the questions and concerns that we receive via email, we have decided to post the Minnesota Equine Laws on the website in order to educate and inform. There are other general laws that pertain to every animal (including cruelty, torture, abandonment, etc.) that are not posted here.
346.38
Equines
Subdivision 1. Definition: “Equines” are horses, ponies, mules and burros.
Subdivision 2. Food: Equines must be provided with food of sufficient quantity and quality to allow for normal growth or maintenance of body weight. Feed standards shall be those recommended by the National Research Council.
Subdivision 3. Water: Equines must be provided with clean, potable water in sufficient quantity to satisfy the animal’s needs or supplied by free choice. Snow and ice is not an adequate water source.
Subdivision 4. Shelter: Equines must be provided a minimum of free choice protection or constructed shelter from adverse weather conditions, including direct rays of sun, in extreme heat or cold, or precipitation. Natural or constructed shelters must be of sufficient size to provide the necessary protection. Constructed shelters must be structurally sound, free of injurious matter, maintained in good repair, and ventilated. Outside exercise paddocks for equines do not require separate constructed shelter where a shelter is accessible to the equine on adjacent or other accessible areas of the property provided that equines are not kept in outdoor exercise paddocks during adverse weather conditions.
Subdivision 5. Space and cleanliness requirements. Constructed shelters except for tie stalls must provide space for the animal to (1) roll with a minimum of danger of being cast; or (2) easily stand, lie down, and turn around. Stalls must be cleaned and kept dry to the extent the animal is not required to lie or stand in fluids. Bedding must be provided in all stalls, kept reasonable clean, and periodically changed. The nature of the bedding must not pose a health hazard to the animal.
Subdivision 6. Exercise. Equines must be provided opportunity for periodic exercise, either through free choice or a forced work program, unless exercise is restricted by a licensed veterinarian.
Subdivision 7. Hoof Care. All equines must have their hooves properly trimmed periodically to prevent lameness.
Subdivision 8. Transportation. A vehicle used to transport an equine must have a floor capable of supporting the animal’s weight safely. Floors must be of nonskid construction or of nonskid material sufficient to provide the animal with traction while in transport. A minimum of 12 inches must be allowed between the withers of the largest equine and the structure above the animal while it is in a natural standing position. Sturdy partitions must be provided at a minimum of approximately every ten feet inside the vehicle. Interior compartments of transporting vehicle must be of smooth construction with no protruding or sharp objects and must provide ventilation. Food and water must be provided in sufficient quantities to minimize stress and maintain hydration.