Cruelty Investigation
Protecting pets is the number one priority.
Not all Stark County Humane Society services are happy and uplifting, but we do have a duty to help animals in need through our animal cruelty services. Our employees continue to respond to complaints regarding cruelty, abuse, or abandonment of animals throughout the county. Education of pet owners may be appropriate in some cases. However, our employees are trained to compile evidence to successfully prosecute pet owners who violate the law.
In 2024, a total of 508 complaints were investigated. Many of these complaints were due to pet owners moving and not taking their pets with them. We also had several calls from health departments and social services because an owner was not able to care for their animals or had many animals in their home.
We advocate for improvements.
Ohio still is behind the rest of the country in updating cruelty laws. Many of our animal laws are over 150 years old, and desperately need to be revised.
Our vehicles cover the entire county for cruelty investigations and pick up stray sick and/or injured animals. In 2023 and 2022, we had day and night calls totaling 555 and 577, respectively. In 2016, after years in the making, Goddard’s Law went into effect for the State of Ohio. It is now a fifth-degree felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal. This includes depriving the pet of food, water, or shelter, as well as the infliction of long-term pain. Stronger laws do help Stark County Humane Society and other Ohio shelters provide better animal cruelty services.
To register a complaint or request a wellness check, we require the address where the animal(s) are located, as well as your name and phone number. Your information will only be shared with a law enforcement agency. Please contact the Shelter office at 330-453-5529.
