Cruelty & Neglect

Our pets rely on us to take care of them and provide them with food, water, shelter, and veterinary care when needed. Sadly, this care is not always offered.


Animal cruelty is something that Caldwell County Animal Control takes very seriously. Officers at CCACE work very hard to ensure that animals are protected and violators are prosecuted.

What is Animal Cruelty?

Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are unlawful. Cruelty is often portrayed as intentional abuse such as dog or cock fighting. Neglect is more often seen as a denial of necessities such as food, water, or shelter. CCACC employees work daily to teach residents how to be responsible pet owners and how they can prevent animal cruelty.

Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic requirements of food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the animal owner's part and is usually handled by education and requiring the owner to correct the situation. If the violation is not corrected the animal may be removed from the neglectful person by CCACC Officers or other Law Enforcement Authorities.

Intentional Cruelty occurs when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury upon an animal. This activity is illegal and aggressively pursued and punished.

North Carolina Animal Cruelty Laws

How to Report Animal Cruelty

Caldwell County Animal Control employs Animal Cruelty Investigators. Animal Cruelty Investigators respond to complaints of animal cruelty and neglect. If you witness a situation that may constitute cruelty or neglect please report it to CCAC by calling 828-572-4535. CCAC does accept anonymous complaints, however, if you are making an anonymous complaint please have detailed information about the complaint when calling including the type of complaint, witnesses, people involved, animal descriptions, and date and time of the incident. 

What to Look For

  • Animals left without food or water
  • Animals that are tethered or contained in an enclosure without shelter
  • Severe hair loss
  • Animals that are thin or emaciated (extremely skinny)
  • Witness an animal being struck, physically abused, or tortured
  • Individuals who knowingly cause or instigate animals to fight one another