The Austin Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Unit has both an enforcement and investigative branch. The primary mission of the Animal Cruelty Unit is to investigate allegations and reports of cruelty, neglect and illegal exploitation of domestic, feral and wild animals within the jurisdictional boundaries of Austin.

The Austin Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Unit has both an enforcement and investigative branch. The Animal Cruelty Unit is composed of a Sergeant, Detectives, and a Civilian Specialist. The unit is housed at the Animal Services Center and works closely with the staff of the Animal Services Office. The Animal Cruelty Unit was created in 2002 to better serve our community and animals in the City of Austin.

There are two separate bodies of law dealing with animal abuse, civil and criminal. 

  • Civil law is used to obtain custody of animals from their abusers; 
  • Criminal law is used to prosecute and punish those abusers.

In the event of suspected animal cruelty:

Call 3-1-1 (or 512-974-2000 if out of area) to report the suspected cruelty. 

Call 9-1-1 if the animal is in immediate danger.

For additional information about Animal Services, please visit the Austin Animal Services web page.