‘It’s scary for animals in the Valley,’ nonprofit leader says of rise in violent animal abuse

PHOENIX — Violent abuse against animals is on the rise, according to the Arizona Humane Society (AHS).

While the nonprofit has been sounding the alarm for months, AHS President and CEO Steven Hansen said the problem worsens during the summer.

“We’re particularly seeing an increase in neglect cases, in animals that are not being properly cared for, animals that are outside in the heat and in the sun,” Hansen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Monday.

Some of the worst cases of violent animal abuse include beating, drownings and strangulations, he added.

“It’s really alarming, and it’s very frightening. It’s scary for animals in the Valley,” Hansen said.

In response to the spike in cases of animals being abused, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1658 into law on June 27.

The legislation expands the definition of animal cruelty to include failure to provide medical attention. It also requires pet owners to provide suitable food, water and shelter for their animals.

Why are violent animal abuse cases on the rise in metro Phoenix?

Hansen said there are various potential reasons why violent animal abuse cases are rising.

“The cost of veterinary care is a problem, but that doesn’t really explain the particularly aggressive cases,” he said. “The Valley’s growing. There’s a lot of stress. I think people are feeling now in the economy and world occurrences. The bottom line is we really don’t know, but it is concerning.”

Hansen urged people to keep an eye out for the safety of animals in their communities. If you suspect a pet is the victim of violent animal abuse, call 911 or contact the AHS dispatch center at 602-997-7585.

“Do not get immediately involved. That can be very dangerous,” he said. “Don’t put yourself in a life-threatening situation. … That really is the right thing to do. Get police help immediately or get us on-site.”

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