It’s important that you know what to do to stay within the law before reporting a horse in trouble, writes Jennifer Williams, PhD. Neglect, abuse and/or abandonment are considered cruelty to animals and are a criminal offense in many states.
. . . it’s important to understand how terms like “abuse” and “neglect” are defined in your local and state laws. And then you need to know what to do, and what to avoid to make it easier for law enforcement agents to do their jobs.” – Jennifer Williams, PhD.
Source: EQUUS, September 9, 2021. Link. Ignorance plays a large role in many cases of equine neglect. An owner may simply not understand important aspects of horse care. Officers often become educators.