Cruelty Investigations
Our Humane Officers uphold California Penal Code, and investigate animal cruelty and neglect.
The Humane Officers are not Animal Control Officers. For concerns regarding barking, licensing, city or county spay/neuter requirements, stray animals, or running at large please contact your local animal control agency. (Link to animal control services blog again)
The Cruelty Investigation Office is located inside the Administration Office of the HSSBV and is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The officers are often out in the field, and it is recommended you fill out our cruelty report as your first contact. If you would like a follow up from our officers, please your contact information. We will keep you and your information anonymous.
You can also contact the Humane Officers by phone:
Officer Ashbaker 909-386-1400 ext 215
Officer Padilla 909-386-1400 ext 216
For a shareable flyer on our Cruelty Campaign "See Something, Say Something" Click here: ENGLISH or SPANISH
Thinking of getting a pet?
There are “Four Basic” requirements to keep in mind if you are considering adding a pet to your family. All animals will need to be provided proper FOOD, WATER, and SHELTER daily, as well as VETERINARY CARE throughout their lives. If for any reason you are not able to provide any and all of these, then you should not have any animal as a pet. There are laws in California and ordinances in many cities and counties that clearly state a person cannot intentionally or unintentionally deprive any animal of these four basic requirements. Additionally, many cities not require pets to be spayed/neutered.
Humane Officers at The Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley respond to complaints relating to lack of food, water, shelter, and veterinary care far too often. Sometimes educating the owners is sufficient, but there are times when an animal has to be seized and placed into protective custody due to the owner’s negligence or unwillingness to provide the four basic needs. When this happens owners can face cruelty or neglect charges against them as well as being held responsible for any medical bills and impound fees resulting in the care provided to the animals they have neglected.
It is a huge responsibility to accept an animal as a family member. It would be nice if all animals had good, loving homes but this is simply not the case. Just about any animal shelter is filled with great animals that are the product of human irresponsibility and the failure to provide the basic humane care. There are many reasons people give for the failure to properly care for their pets… the economy is bad, the owner has lost his/her job or house, they don’t have time for the pet, or they may simply have gotten in over their heads in the proper caring of a pet. Whatever the reasons, it is never acceptable to deny an animal any of the four basic requirements.
The questions you must ask yourself is; are you responsible enough and prepared (financially and emotionally) to make a long term commitment to the owning, loving, and caring for a pet? If you cannot answer yes, then the kindest, most humane thing you can do is to not have a pet.
Want to learn more about HSSBV Cruelty Cases? Visit our blog to see press releases and updates on animals that have been saved as part of the program!