Cruelty Investigations

The Mississippi Animal Rescue League is the largest full service humane society in Mississippi. Our cruelty investigations are extensive. On an average MARL receives over 350 cruelty complaints annually involving over 1500 animals.

These range from dog fighters to collectors, to puppy mills and to the pet owner that has left his dog tied without food, water or shelter from the weather. Many of these animals were seized by us and charges brought against the owners. MARL works extensively with law enforcement agencies throughout the State.

If you suspect that an animal is being abused please call 601-969-1631. However, remember that the law may differ in what you or I may perceive as cruelty. We have to abide by the law.

Due to staff restrictions MARL cruelty investigations are performed on a "Most needed" basis. We do not have a 24-hour cruelty investigator.

Put a Stop to Puppy Mills

Puppy mills are breeding facilities that produce purebred puppies in large numbers. The puppies are sold either directly to the public via the Internet, newspaper ads, at the mill itself, or are sold to brokers and pet shops around the country.

The Mississippi Animal Rescue League receives complaints nearly daily from people who have purchased an animal from one of these facilities. Very often the puppies coming from these places are poor quality, and face problems due to lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, little or no veterinary care and are harboring genetically borne diseases.

Puppy mills are a "for profit only" enterprise, with little or no concern for the animals. They advertise, "Pure bred" with "papers." Purebred registration papers only state that the female purebred dog has mated with a male purebred dog. They have nothing to do with the quality or health of the pet. The AKC, the most widely recognized purebred dog registry, readily notes that it "is not itself involved in the sale of dogs and cannot therefore guarantee the health and quality of dogs in its registry. Clearly, it is "buyer beware."

AKC papers only mean that someone has registered the dog with the AKC. Often papers are forged or not given to the owner at all.

Before purchasing a puppy from a breeder, make sure you can see the mother dog and her surroundings. Is the place clean? How many dogs are they breeding? If it is multi-needs, you can be sure it's a puppy mill. If the people will not allow you in the facility or tells you they will meet you somewhere with the puppy do not buy it.

The Mississippi Animal Rescue League receives purebreds nearly every day. Yes, even Yorkshires, Poodles, and Great Danes. You name the breed and we have received it at one time or another.

 

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Dog Fighting

Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and a felony in 47, including Mississippi. Still the problem goes on and seems on the increase. In Mississippi, both participants and spectators are charged with a felony.

Dog fighting is where two dogs are placed in a pit or similar area enclosed with plywood walls. They attack each other, with the battle often lasting two hours or more, ending when one dog is no longer able to continue or is killed.

Dog fighting has also been linked to other crimes, gambling, drug dealing, arms smuggling and money laundering.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates over 40,000 people are involved in the blood sport and 250,000 pit bulls are used.

As dog fighting proliferates, the number of stolen pets has also grown. Dog fighters use pets as bait to train their dogs. Small dogs, kittens, and rabbits are often the bait of choice. Pit bulls, though, are commonly targeted by dog fighting rings for potential breeding stock.

To protect your pet from being stolen, keep your pet indoors or behind a locked fence when you are not at home. Be aware of strangers in the neighborhood and report suspicious activities or missing pet to the police, animal control and your local humane society.