Make Those Who Make False Allegations of Animal Abuse to Animal Control Face Criminal Prosecution

I have recently been the victim of a malicious woman calling animal control making false allegations about me abusing my pets. I have had two visits from animal control accusing me of owning a leopard, and torturing my cats. Neither of these accusations are true.

In situations of abuse many times the owners are assumed guilty, and I had to prove these terrible accusations were not true. In my case, I had a Bengal, which looks similar to a small leopard. I even had to show the officer that hybrid felines were legal in the state I live in. As many people, even animal control officers, are not well educated about this breed of feline.

The second visit I had to prove all my cats were in good condition, and had food and water. Luckily for me, my vet is friends with the shelter vet and I have wonderful neighbors that verified my kitties only vocal when heading to the vet. After speaking to my vet, and delivering the information the officer requested, I should no longer be visited by animal control. Since my wonderful veterinarian made sure that they understood what wonderful pet owners my husband and I are.

Animal control officers are often overwhelmed with animals issues while working. False calls and allegations are a waste of resources for these officers. I am fortunate that I have a veterinarian that facilitated a end to the vicious accusations against me. But there are people that are harassed this way over and over.

I think when someone is accusing someone of abusing a pet to animal control, their information should be required. What type of abuse is happening, and not just generic information. That way, they cannot use animal control as a way to harass pet owners. Unless it is a fighting dog situation, or the person's life is endangered, the person should have to leave their information. Malicious people, such as the woman who used animal control as means to harass me, should be charged criminally.

I have read similar stories how animal control was used as a weapon to harass animal owners. This is ridiculous. Animal control officers should be handling true animal abuse cases, picking up stray animals, and patrolling the area for wildlife or animals that maybe a threat to their community. Join me to demand the state of California make harassment via animal control with false allegations illegal and those that participate in this face criminal charges.