Reporting Abuse
The Humane Society of Richland County has trained Humane Agents on staff to investigate cases of animal neglect, abandonment, and abuse. If you have concerns about the wellbeing of a companion animal in Richland County, please fill out the form below. All required fields must be completed in order to submit the report. Once we receive the report, a staff member will contact you if additional information is needed.
Our Humane Agents must do an initial wellbeing check to assess the situation. Depending on the severity of the circumstances, the agents may remove the animal immediately or give corrections that must be made within a certain amount of time before seizure of the animal is necessary. Humane Agents can only enforce laws as stated in Ohio Revised Code 959.13. The ORC can be found here.
The Humane Society of Richland County does not respond to noise complaints of barking dogs, wildlife concerns, outdoor cats, or deceased animals on roadways. Reports of animal neglect regarding livestock must be made to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. A form can be submitted on their website.
Types of Reports Responded To:
Cruelty (Intentional Harm)
Knowingly torturing, tormenting, mutilating, maiming, cruelly beating, poisoning, or needlessly killing an animal. This also includes denying an animal fresh air and wholesome exercise.
Neglect (Failure to Provide Care)
Negligently causing harm by withholding basic necessities—such as adequate food, clean water, or proper shelter from the weather—that leads to sickness or suffering.
Abandonment
Leaving a confined animal without food, water, or care for more than 15 consecutive hours. (Animals found in these conditions may be impounded for their own protection.)
Inhumane Transport
Carrying or conveying an animal in a dangerous, cruel, or unsafe manner.
Illegal Animal Fighting & Cruel Sports
Organizing, participating in, or hosting dog fighting, animal fighting, or using live animals as targets for trapshooting.
Types of Reports Not Responded To:
Stray, Aggressive, or Barking Dogs
Please contact Richland County Dog Warden / Local Law Enforcement.
Wildlife in Residential Areas
(Skunks, raccoons, opossums, etc.) Please contact a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator or Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Free-Roaming & Stray Cats
Cats in Ohio are permitted to free-roam, do not require licenses, and may belong to a neighbor. We do not trap cats, but we encourage Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats.