Help an Animal // Human Abuse–Cruelty to Animals
Take the Law Into Your Own Hands
Lobby for legislation that will benefit animals and humans in your community—from demanding stronger animal protection laws to pursuing mandatory spay/neuter legislation.
Take a stand against animal cruelty by demanding stronger animal protection laws in your community and strict application of the laws for everyone's protection.
Currently in the United States, several cities and counties, including San Mateo, California; King County, Washington; Richmond, Virginia; and Rock Island, Illinois, are aggressively addressing the animal overpopulation crisis, requiring anyone who chooses not to comply, whether actively breeding animals or not, to pay a hefty breeder's fee. As expected, the areas with mandatory spay/neuter laws have reported a significant reduction in the number of animals brought to their facilities and subsequently euthanized. Until all cities adopt similar laws, animals will continue to breed at uncontrollable rates. You can work to reduce your community's companion animal overpopulation problem by demanding mandatory spay/neuter legislation. Click here to view a sample of model spay and neuter legislation or Click Here to view samples of chained dog legislation.
For more information, see the "PETA Guide to Becoming an Activist" and PETA's factsheet "Lobbying: Laying Down the Law." PETA's legislative guide will help you locate your representatives.
Sign up to be a contact person for PETA's DAI&A Department. We'll e-mail you when there's legislation pending in your area that will affect domestic animals and that needs your support.
To initiate legislative action in your own community, please e-mail us at info@peta.org.
You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and neglect.
As a child, serial killer and rapist Ted Bundy—ultimately convicted of two killings but suspected of murdering more than 40 women—witnessed his father’s violence toward animals, and he himself subsequently tortured animals.
David Berkowitz (a.k.a. “Son of Sam”), who pleaded guilty to 13 murder and attempted murder charges, shot a neighbor’s Labrador retriever.
Brenda Spencer, who opened fire at a California school, killing two children and injuring nine others, had repeatedly abused cats and dogs, often setting their tails on fire.
Serial killer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer impaled the heads of dogs and cats on sticks.