JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the temperature rises, so do the number of animal abuse cases and that has advocates in Jacksonville worried about how to stop it.
According to the Humane Society, 65 percent of reported abuse cases involve dogs, while 18 percent are against cats. Animal Care and Protective Services want people to know there’s an alternative.
James Crosby, with Animal Care and Protective Services, said the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office made about a dozen arrests for animal cruelty in the past month. Crosby said with the 11 animal cruelty cases that are still open, the numbers are off the charts for an area the size of Jacksonville.
“I think the biggest thing that happens is we have a disconnect between human compassion and recognizing the value of animals,” Crosby said.
Crosby says the latest cases have been everything from animals being beaten or injured to being left outside in the heat without food or water.
“I don’t understand it,” Crosby said. “Because, for instance, there’s a particular case where one of the dogs was dead, had been dead, for around a week based on its condition, and telling me you don’t know that your dog is dead and you’re not providing proper care when it’s lying there decomposing is really hard for me to believe.”
Crosby said organizations like his are there to help.
“We have a community support net that can help people,” Crosby said. “All they have to do is ask, but don’t wait until your dog is dead and decomposing to ask for help.”