Animal Cruelty Investigator’s Manual
The book outlines the basics of a good investigation, from start to finish, including real-life case examples. Also included are common “Animal Care Practices” for a variety of animals, a layman’s interpretation of Vermont’s criminal animal cruelty statute, as well as copies of other animal-related laws and regulations for your reference. Sample investigative forms, fact sheets and articles on a variety of animal care issues – from rabies to chained dogs – can help humane agents resolve animal complaints locally.
Chapter 2. Receiving and Investigating Complaint
Chapter 5 Animal Care Standards
Chapter 8 Vermont Legislative Website
Appendix I Shelters and Rescues
Appendix II. Resource Agencies State Associations
Appendix III. Forms and Supplies List (see first table below for direct links)
Appendix IV. Fact Sheets & Articles (see second table below for direct links)
Forms and Supplies List
| Form Name | Category | Purpose Text |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit Blank Example | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides an example of a blank affidavit re: requesting a search warrant. |
| Agreement - Lead & Assisting Organizations Providing Animal Care Post Seizure | Animal Care ‐ Post Seizure | Outlines the agreement for care of animals seized during the course of an investigation between the lead organization and an assisting organization. |
| Animal Care Record-Emergency Animal Rescue Shelter | Animal Care ‐ Post Seizure | Records routine, individual daily care of animals in the emergency animal rescue shelter. |
| Animal Cruelty Case Report Form | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be used by agency to collect cruelty complaint information over the phone; aligns with Case Report section of Animal Tracks. |
| Animal Inventory Form | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to list details of all animals (alive or dead) taken during a seizure; provide a copy to the owner/caretaker. |
| Animal Removed for Exigent Reason Notice | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be left at site when an animal is seized under exigent circumstances per 13 V.S.A. ,Chp. 8, 352 and 354. |
| Animal Removed from Hot Vehicle Notice | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be left on car when an animal is removed from a hot vehicle per 13 V.S.A. Chp. 8, 386 and 352. |
| Application for Search Warrent with Affidavit-Blank Example | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides an example of a blank application for a search warrant to which affidavits would be attached. |
| Behavior Assessment Form | Animal Assessment | Document a general assessment of an animal's temperament. |
| Chain of Custody-Single Animal Record | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to list and track an individual seized animal's movements while in your care. |
| Chain of Custody-Multiple Animals Record | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to list and track the movements of multiple seized animals while in your care. |
| Citation Example | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | Example of a blank citation given to a defendant by a Humane Officer. |
| Cruelty Case Foster Application | Resources Planning & Management | Application to be completed by potential foster homes for animals in an agency's care |
| Equine Body Condition Evaluation | Animal Assessment | Document the body condition of an equine using 7 point scale detailed on form. |
| Equine Investigation Form | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be used by investigator on equine related complaint to collect detailed information about living conditions and animal condition |
| Equipment & Supplies List for Animal Rescue- perations | Resources Planning & Management | Checklist of equipment and supplies that may be needed during an animal rescue operation. |
| Euthanasia Authorization Agreement | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to obtain an owner's signature on a legal agreement to euthanize animals when deemed necessary by a licensed veterinarian. |
| Evidence Cage Card | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | For use as label for cage of each animal at the time of seizure or relinquishment; lists information for each animal and to whom the animal is to be placed with. |
| Evidence Inventory Form | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to list details of all non‐animal evidence taken during the seizure; provide a copy to the owner/caretaker. |
| Incident Report | Animal Care ‐ Post Seizure | To record details of an incident (including actions taken) at an emergency animal rescue shelter. |
| Necropsy Record | Animal Assessment | Document a veterinarian post‐morten exam findings. |
| Ownership Relinquishment Agreement | Seizure or Relinquishment Documentation | Use to obtain an owner's signature on a legal agreement to relinquish animals. |
| Pet Dealer Inspection Checklist | Animal Assessment | Provides a checklist of the animal welfare regulations for inspections of pet dealer permitees |
| Pocket Pet General Assessment Form | Animal Assessment | Document general assessment of a pocket pet's condition. |
| Poultry General Health Assessment Form | Animal Assessment | Document general assessment of an poultry animal's condition. |
| Rabbit General Health Assessment Form (1) | Animal Assessment | Document general assessment of rabbit's condition. |
| Report Animal Cruelty Business Card | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | Distribute to possible witnesses who wish to report anonymously. |
| Restitution Charges | Resources Planning & Management | Records the detailed costs associated with the rescue and care of each animal for possible reimbursement orders. |
| Search Warrant-Blank Example | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides an example of a blank search warrant. |
| Search Warrant Application - Animal Cruelty Case Example | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides an example of a search warrant application & the granted search warrant. |
| Search Warrant Inventory -Blank Example | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides an example documenting the non‐animal items, objects, etc. seized during the warranted search. A copy of the completed form is left with the owner/caretaker. |
| Search Warrant Preparation Checklist | Search Warrant Preparation | Provides a checklist of items to have in order before approaching a judge for a search warrant. |
| Small Animal Health General Assessment Form | Animal Assessment | Document general assessment of an animal's condition. |
| Summary of Recommendations-Equine | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be given to a horse's owner following an investigation which lists recommendations for future care. |
| Summary of Recommendations-Small Animal | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To be given to a small animal's owner following an investigation which lists recommendations for future care. |
| Team Assignments & Roles for Cruelty Investigation | Resources Planning & Management | Outlines the various teams (and related roles) needed during an animal cruelty seizure. |
| Treatment & Medication Log-Emergency Response- eam | Animal Care ‐ Post Seizure | To track the treatment and/or medications recommended or given to each animal at the site of seizure or relinquishment. |
| Vermont Search Warrant Rules-Annotated | Search Warrant Preparation | Detailed description of Vermont court rules related to search warrants. |
| Vermont Statutes Title 13, Chapter 8 Compliance Check List | Complaint Reporting & Investigation | To given to an animal owner. Details specific areas of non‐compliance in Title 13 that require follow‐up/improvement. |
| Veterinarian's Detailed Exam Finding - Small Animal | Animal Assessment | Document a veterinarian's physical assessment of a small animal |
| Veteranarian's Detailed Exam Findings - Equine | Animal Assessment | Document a veterinarian's physical assessment of an equine |
| Veterinary Concern Log | Animal Care ‐ Post Seizure | To record conditions or concerns that require attention by a veterinarian. |
| Volunteer Work Log-Emergency Animal Rescue Shelter (1) | Resources Planning & Management | Form to record volunteer work at an emergency animal shelter |
Fact Sheets & Articles