Animal cruelty is a crime in Texas, and
is defined as follows:
SEC. 42.09. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS A person
commits an offense if he intentionally or
knowingly :
1. Tortures or seriously overworks an
animal
2. Fails unreasonably to provide necessary
food, water, care or shelter for an animal
in his custody
3. Abandons unreasonably an animal in his
custody
4. Transports or confines an animal in a
cruel manner
5. Kills, injures, or administers poison to
an animal, …….. belonging to another without
legal authority or the owner’s effective
consent
6. Causes one animal to fight with another,
or
7. Uses a live animal as a lure in dog race
training or in dog coursing
Law Enforcement depends greatly on input from the community for information concerning suspected animal cruelty. The investigation officers are best able to perform their duties when provided with detailed descriptions of the suspected abuse :
* What type of incident or incidents did
you witness?
* Who was involved in the incident(s)?
* When the incident(s) took place
* Where did the incident(s) occur?
Any details that you are able to provide will increase the chances of seeing that the law is upheld, and that the animals are rescued.
* What - Can you
describe the incident or incidents of animal
cruelty that you think you witnessed,
including type, number, and description of
the animals involved?
* Who - Can you provide a
description of the person or persons
involved in the incident(s)?
* When - Date and time of
the suspected incident(s) of abuse.
* Where - Any and all
information concerning the location of the
incident(s) will be of primary importance.
If possible, please provide :
o Street Address, including cross streets
o ZIP codes
o Landmarks, including business names and
apartment complex names
Complainant information is not released, and every measure will be taken to ensure your confidentiality.
Contact information is very helpful to
investigators when background information is
needed.
If you are a witness to animal cruelty
please do not hesitate to contact the Vernon
Police Department at (940) 553-3311 or the
Wilbarger Sheriff’s Office (940) 552-6205.
You may also contact the Wilbarger Humane Society. We will forward the information to the proper law enforcement agency. Our telephone is (940) 552-5373.