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Definition: abuse/cruelty

Examples: corruption/cruelty

In Osceola County

Inquiry links

Animal abuse and domestic violence: there is a link

Fauna cruelty and neglect are serious crimes and may exist an indication that other crimes are co-occurring or about to occur. Violence towards animals often escalates to violence towards people. Past reporting suspected animal corruption or neglect, you may be helping other animals and people to stay safety. Animal cruelty is often observed and reported earlier child corruption or domestic violence. The enquiry supporting this link is available via the links at the bottom of this page.

Delight do your office to assist continue pets and people in our customs rubber by reporting suspected beast cruelty to Osceola County Brute Services at the phone number below. Please know that your complaint can be anonymous but it does forbid the states from getting additional information from you if needed.


Ways to written report animal abuse or neglect:

  • phone call Osceola County Animate being Services at 407-742-8000.

  • call Crimeline at one-800-423-TIPS and your information will remain anonymous.

  • filing a complaint online by going to Crimeline.org.

  • All citizens in Florida are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.

To study child or elder abuse:

  • Suspected child or elder abuse or neglect can be reported by calling i-800-962-2873, or using the online reporting form.

  • Click here to access the Florida online child or elder abuse reporting class.

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Animal abuse/neglect poster

Link circle: abuse
Link circumvolve graphic: corruption from
National Link Coalition

Definition of brute corruption

Hope, a rescued dog

The definition of "creature abuse" varies from State to Land and while nearly people have some thought of what this ways, nosotros investigate complaints of abuse or cruelty under Florida Land Statute, 828.12, Cruelty to Animals. This statute defines felony cruelty as:

(two) A person who intentionally commits an human activity to any animal, or a person who owns or has the custody or command of whatever animate being and fails to act, which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to exist done, commits aggravated brute cruelty, a felony of the 3rd degree, punishable every bit provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of non more than $ten,000, or both.

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Examples of animate being abuse

Examples of felony animal cruelty under this department of the statute could include many intentional acts such as just not limited to

  • chirapsia,

  • fighting,

  • called-for, or

  • drowning an fauna.

It is important to note this department also includes

  • "failure to act" that results in the cruel decease or excessive and repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.

  • In this scenario, failure to deed most usually comes in the course of declining to obtain veterinary intendance or failure to make basic provisions for nutrient and water.

Equally an example, let'due south say a canis familiaris is hit past a car and the owner does not take the pet to the veterinarian. It is clear the animal is injured as he is not able to walk. Allowing that pet to endure in pain by "declining" to provide veterinarian intendance, would most likely be considered felony creature cruelty in Florida.

Another example is a "failure" to provide necessary sustenance and assuasive an animal to starve. The possessor's "failure to act" results in the animal suffering malnutrition and ultimately death. The creature does not have to die for this to be considered felony animal cruelty.

Another important particular is that not only can owners of animals be charged, but and so can others including an developed person living in a dwelling where an animal is immune to suffer, a temporary caregiver where the possessor is out of boondocks, sick, etc. and cannot care for his/her own pet.

In curt, if yous own, or accept custody or control of an animal, you are responsible for its well-being.


In Osceola County

Osceola County Animal Services is the phonation for animals and their owners in our jurisdiction. We accept two principal functions:

  • working to ensure public safety equally it relates to animals and

  • improving the welfare of animals in Osceola County.

We believe these two functions piece of work together towards the good of our customs.

Rather than enter cases into the legal system, we much prefer to brainwash animal owners.  Our Animal Control officers tin aid citizens proceed their pets by informing them of best practices in the care and feeding of their animals. We strive to give advice and suggestions when a problem is reported.

  • Enforcement

Sometimes, enforcement of county policies and rules becomes necessary through the legal system. This may include:

  • fines, issued through Brute Services, or

  • abort and incarceration by the local police or Sheriff's department

Reports of abuse and/or fail, including animal hoarding, are investigated by our ACO (Animal Control Officer) staff also as the shelter administration. Additionally, the Osceola County Sheriff'southward Office or the Kissimmee or St Cloud Police Departments as well as the Country Attorney's Office may be involved in the investigation and prosecution of certain abuse and neglect cases, especially animal fighting. Our Creature Control Officers do not make arrests.

Those plant guilty in Osceola County court of fauna criminal abuse and/or neglect are placed on Osceola Canton's Animal Abuse registry, which is bachelor on our website too equally the Canton Clerk'due south web page, to all adoption agencies and citizens.

Click the link below to see the current list of those bedevilled of brute abuse in Osceola County.

Animal abuse database

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Osceola County stories


Nora's Rescue
Sir Phillip, the horse
Click the photo to read nearly Sir Philip.

The story of Hope

Informational links

National Link Coalition enquiry
Linking human and animal abuse
Osceola Kids
Child advocacy website

Humane Society enquiry
Is beast abuse in children normal?
Nat'l Center for Biological inquiry
Linking creature cruelty & family unit violence

Beast Law research
Cruelty to animals & people: related crimes

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Recovering horse

Dog in cage

Dog and cat interacting