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SAVING ANIMALS
Cruelty Investigation
Save a Life by Reporting Cruelty
If you believe animal cruelty is taking place in the Houston metro area, please complete the Online Animal Cruelty Report or call 713-869-7722. Please do not report cruelty or injured animals by email or on social media. We primarily investigate cases of animal cruelty in the Houston metro area, including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Waller, Grimes, and Austin.
If you’re reporting an incident in a state or county outside our jurisdiction, please contact the animal control organization, animal shelter, or local law enforcement agency for that area. We cannot respond outside our jurisdiction unless requested by law enforcement.
There's No Excuse for Animal Abuse
Animal cruelty is a crime in Texas. Read the cruelty statute here.
SEC. 42.092. CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMALS
A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly:
- tortures an animal or in a cruel manner, kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;
- without the owner’s effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;
- fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal in the person’s custody;
- abandons unreasonably an animal in the person’s custody;
- transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;
- without the owner’s effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal;
- causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog;
- uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; or
- seriously overworks an animal.
SEC. 42.090. CRUELTY TO LIVESTOCK ANIMALS
- A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly:
- tortures a livestock animal;
- fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, or care for a livestock animal in the person’s custody;
- abandons unreasonably a livestock animal in the person’s custody;
- transports or confines a livestock animal in a cruel and unusual manner;
- administers poison to a livestock animal, other than cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats, belonging to another without legal authority or the owner’s effective consent;
- causes one livestock animal to fight with another livestock animal or with an animal as defined by Section 42.092Â ;
- uses a live livestock animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack;
- trips a horse;  or
- seriously overworks a livestock animal.
What you need to know about the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act
The anti-cruelty law, based on the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, gives local authorities like the Houston SPCA and Harris County Precinct 1 more tools in the fight against animal cruelty in the state of Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report cruelty anonymously?
How long before someone comes out to investigate?
Will you update me on the status of the investigation?
Rescue Stories
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Dog Dumped in Southeast Houston
(February 14, 2024) The Houston SPCA and Harris County Constable Precinct 1 are jointly investigating a distressing case of animal cruelty f...
(February 14, 2024) The Houston SPCA and Harris County Constable Precinct 1 are jointly investigating a distressing case of animal cruelty f...
Eight Starving Horses Rescued From Muddy, Debris-Filled Property
(January 11, 2024) Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators worked with Harris County Constable Precinct 1 to rescue eight emaciated horses...
(January 11, 2024) Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators worked with Harris County Constable Precinct 1 to rescue eight emaciated horses...
10 Dogs and Cats Rescued in Baytown
(December 8, 2023) Earlier today, Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators, in collaboration with Harris County Constable Precinct One, res...
(December 8, 2023) Earlier today, Houston SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators, in collaboration with Harris County Constable Precinct One, res...
