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April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
Mar 30, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Ria Brown Cruelty Case Pets Need New Homes! Lee County Animal Services Offers Tips on Reporting Abuse (Fort Myers, FL) March 30, 2006 – Lee County Animal Services deals with various types of animal cruelty on a daily basis. Several survivors of recent cruelty cases are now in the agency's care. Ten month old Riley is a happy, healthy Pit Bull Terrier available for adoption through the Lee County Cell Dogs Program. Riley wasn't always so lucky. He was one of two dogs reported by a neighbor to be in horrible condition. Riley was alive at least, the other dog was found dead tied to a tree. Rocco, a 1 1/2 year old Chihuahua, was found with a broken leg and a clothes pin clamped to his penis to prevent him from urinating in the house. More information about these and other recent victims of cruelty and neglect, including those still in need of new homes, may be viewed on Animal Services website at www.LeeLostPets.com. Examples of cruelty that the Animal Services' staff see on a daily basis include overt abuse, dog fighting and cock fighting, and companion animals being neglected or denied necessities of care, such as food, water, or shelter. In some cases the perpetrators who commit these crimes cannot be found. In other cases those responsible are charged with misdemeanor or felony cruelty. April is Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. In honor of this month, Lee County Animal Services and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are offering tips on how to identify animal cruelty in hopes of preventing or prosecuting these cases. 1. Be aware. Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, Animal Services would not know about most instances of animal abuse. To report animal abuse in Lee County call Animal Services at (239) 432-2083. 2. Learn to recognize animal cruelty. The following are some signs:
3. Provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. It helps to write down the type of cruelty witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident, and where it took place. 4. Know your state and county animal cruelty laws. Lee County Ordinance 98-10 is available online at www.LeeLostPets.com. 5. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, always give them the love and good care they deserve. It's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. 6. Teach children how to treat animals with kindness and respect. One of the most powerful tools for preventing cruelty to animals is education. 7. Support your local shelter. Lee County's Animal Care Trust Fund is great way to do this. The Animal Care Trust Fund was established in 2002 to assist homeless, abused and neglected animals. The fund provides for affordable spay/neuter, care, education, direct assistance and other programs to improve animal care and welfare in Lee County. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: Animal Care Trust Fund, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Lee County Animal Services provides animal control services throughout Lee County and operates an animal shelter to house stray and abandoned domestic animals. It also administers low-cost spay/neuter programs, educational initiatives, and rabies and bite case control programs. The shelter is located off Six Mile Cypress Parkway next to the Lee County Sheriff's Dept. For more information call 432-2083
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