U.S. law enforcement agencies reported 26,160 animal cruelty offenses to the FBI in 2024, the most recent full year of data (FBI Crime Data Explorer). Texas reported the most offenses (3,797), and Delaware had the highest rate (152.6 per 100,000 residents). Most reported animal cruelty is neglect, most of it happens in or around homes, and intentional cruelty is the type most often tied to violence against people.
Every number on this page links to the organization that collected it. State figures come from TotalVet's analysis of FBI data pulled on November 4, 2026.
Key animal abuse statistics
- U.S. law enforcement agencies reported 26,160 animal cruelty offenses to the FBI in 2024, up 10% from 23,793 in 2023 (FBI Crime Data Explorer).
- Texas reported the most animal cruelty offenses in 2024, with 3,797, or 14.5% of the U.S. total (FBI).
- Delaware had the highest reported rate in 2024: 152.6 offenses per 100,000 residents, about 18 times the national rate of 8.7 (FBI; TotalVet analysis).
- About 29% of animal cruelty offenses reported in 2024 were cleared by arrest or exceptional means (FBI).
- About two-thirds of animal cruelty crimes reported to police in 2017–2018 involved neglect, and one-third involved intentional cruelty (Addington & Randour, 2022).
- 1 in 5 intentional animal cruelty incidents involved another crime, compared with 3% of neglect cases (Addington & Randour, 2022).
- Women in domestic violence shelters were about 11 times more likely than a comparison group to report that a partner hurt or killed a pet: 54% vs. 5% (Ascione et al., 2007).
- 42 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, allow pets in domestic violence protection orders as of 2026; in 2005, no state did (MSU Animal Legal & Historical Center; ALDF).
- Reported animal cruelty peaks in summer: police recorded 2,744 offenses in July 2024, 51% more than in December (1,823) (FBI; TotalVet analysis).
- Fewer than 1 in 5 U.S. domestic violence shelters accept pets, up from about 8% in 2019, according to the program's sponsors (Purina and RedRover, 2024).
How many animal cruelty cases are reported in the U.S. each year?
U.S. law enforcement agencies reported 26,160 animal cruelty offenses to the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2024 and 23,793 in 2023 (FBI Crime Data Explorer). The FBI began counting animal cruelty as its own crime category on January 1, 2016 (FBI).
| Year | Animal cruelty offenses | States reporting at least one offense |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 379 | 18 |
| 2017 | 3,487 | 28 |
| 2018 | 5,453 | 36 |
| 2019 | 11,023 | 44 |
| 2020 | 12,246 | 48 |
| 2021 | 18,318 | 50 |
| 2022 | 21,575 | 51 |
| 2023 | 23,793 | 50 |
| 2024 | 26,160 | 50 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offense code 720, pulled November 4, 2026. The FBI revises past years as agencies resubmit data.
Most of the growth since 2016 reflects more police agencies reporting through NIBRS, not proof that animal cruelty itself increased (FBI). In 2016, only 18 states reported any animal cruelty offense; by 2024, 50 states and Washington, D.C., reported at least one, while Kansas reported none.
Agencies submitting NIBRS data covered about 88% of the U.S. population in 2024, a TotalVet calculation from FBI coverage data. About 29% of animal cruelty offenses reported that year were cleared, meaning police closed the case by arrest or by "exceptional means" such as the death of the offender.
The FBI counts offenses and incidents differently. The Animal Welfare Institute's extract of the same 2024 data counts 25,104 incidents that included animal cruelty, about 1 in every 484 crime incidents in NIBRS (AWI, 2026).
Which states have the most animal cruelty cases?
Texas reported the most animal cruelty offenses in 2024, with 3,797, followed by Delaware (1,605), Virginia (1,535), California (1,476) and Michigan (1,109). Those five states accounted for 36.4% of all animal cruelty offenses reported in the U.S. in 2024 (FBI Crime Data Explorer).
| Rank | State | Offenses (2024) | Share of U.S. total | Population covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 3,797 | 14.5% | 99% |
| 2 | Delaware | 1,605 | 6.1% | 100% |
| 3 | Virginia | 1,535 | 5.9% | 100% |
| 4 | California | 1,476 | 5.6% | 75% |
| 5 | Michigan | 1,109 | 4.2% | 98% |
| 6 | Georgia | 1,053 | 4.0% | 93% |
| 7 | Colorado | 1,039 | 4.0% | 99% |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 863 | 3.3% | 100% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 813 | 3.1% | 97% |
| 10 | Arizona | 734 | 2.8% | 70% |
| 11 | Tennessee | 698 | 2.7% | 100% |
| 12 | Florida | 687 | 2.6% | 70% |
| 13 | Louisiana | 656 | 2.5% | 82% |
| 14 | Alabama | 626 | 2.4% | 99% |
| 15 | Ohio | 625 | 2.4% | 94% |
Source: TotalVet analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer data. "Population covered" is the share of the state's residents served by agencies reporting to NIBRS; California's count is likely an undercount.
Which states have the highest animal cruelty rates?
Delaware had the highest reported animal cruelty rate in 2024, with 152.6 offenses per 100,000 residents, about 18 times the national rate of 8.7. Oklahoma (21.1), North Dakota (20.4), New Hampshire (19.0) and Colorado (17.6) round out the top five (FBI; TotalVet analysis).
| Rank | State | Offenses per 100,000 residents (2024) | Offenses (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 152.6 | 1,605 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 21.1 | 863 |
| 3 | North Dakota | 20.4 | 162 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 19.0 | 267 |
| 5 | Colorado | 17.6 | 1,039 |
| 6 | Virginia | 17.4 | 1,535 |
| 7 | Louisiana | 17.4 | 656 |
| 8 | Wyoming | 16.1 | 85 |
| 9 | Montana | 14.6 | 166 |
| 10 | Oregon | 13.2 | 554 |
| 11 | Vermont | 12.5 | 81 |
| 12 | Alabama | 12.3 | 626 |
| 13 | Texas | 12.2 | 3,797 |
| 14 | Michigan | 11.2 | 1,109 |
| 15 | South Carolina | 11.0 | 600 |
Source: TotalVet analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer data. Rates use the population covered by reporting agencies. Ranking includes the 42 states and D.C. with at least 80% population coverage.
Why does Delaware's animal cruelty rate look so high?
Delaware's rate reflects how thoroughly the state records cases, not necessarily more cruelty. Delaware created an Office of Animal Welfare in 2013, and its cases flow into NIBRS in a way most states' animal control cases do not (Palais, 2021). Delaware has reported more than 900 offenses every year since 2017.
Which states report the least animal cruelty?
Kansas reported zero animal cruelty offenses in 2024 and only two between 2016 and 2024, despite covering 96% of its population in NIBRS (FBI). That points to a reporting gap rather than an absence of cruelty. Washington, D.C., reported one offense. Among states that report regularly, the lowest rates per 100,000 residents were in West Virginia (3.2), Massachusetts (3.2), Connecticut (4.7), Arkansas (4.8) and Idaho (5.1).
Eight states covered less than 80% of their population in 2024 NIBRS data, so their totals are likely undercounts (FBI). They are Alaska (61%), Arizona (70%), California (75%), Florida (70%), Mississippi (65%), New Jersey (73%), New York (79%) and Pennsylvania (50%).
Which states have reported the most animal cruelty since 2016?
Texas has reported 17,787 animal cruelty offenses since FBI tracking began in 2016, 14.5% of the 122,434 offenses reported nationwide through 2024. Delaware (10,417) and Virginia (7,816) follow (FBI; TotalVet analysis).
| Rank | State | Offenses, 2016–2024 | Share of U.S. total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 17,787 | 14.5% |
| 2 | Delaware | 10,417 | 8.5% |
| 3 | Virginia | 7,816 | 6.4% |
| 4 | Colorado | 6,839 | 5.6% |
| 5 | Georgia | 5,720 | 4.7% |
| 6 | Michigan | 5,606 | 4.6% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 4,712 | 3.8% |
| 8 | North Carolina | 3,980 | 3.3% |
| 9 | Oregon | 3,695 | 3.0% |
| 10 | California | 3,538 | 2.9% |
Source: TotalVet analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer data, 2016–2024.
Animal cruelty statistics by state (2024)
This table lists animal cruelty offenses for every state and Washington, D.C., in 2024 and 2023, with each state's rate per 100,000 residents (FBI Crime Data Explorer).
| State | Offenses (2024) | Offenses (2023) | Change | Rate per 100,000 (2024) | Population covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 626 | 709 | -12% | 12.3 | 99% |
| Alaska | 49 | 25 | +96% | 10.9† | 61% |
| Arizona | 734 | 610 | +20% | 13.9† | 70% |
| Arkansas | 145 | 114 | +27% | 4.8 | 98% |
| California | 1,476 | 1,202 | +23% | 5.0† | 75% |
| Colorado | 1,039 | 1,000 | +4% | 17.6 | 99% |
| Connecticut | 173 | 121 | +43% | 4.7 | 100% |
| Delaware | 1,605 | 1,659 | -3% | 152.6 | 100% |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 5 | -80% | 0.1 | 100% |
| Florida | 687 | 571 | +20% | 4.2† | 70% |
| Georgia | 1,053 | 1,132 | -7% | 10.2 | 93% |
| Hawaii | 147 | 126 | +17% | 10.2 | 100% |
| Idaho | 101 | 105 | -4% | 5.1 | 100% |
| Illinois | 610 | 334 | +83% | 5.1 | 94% |
| Indiana | 488 | 550 | -11% | 8.1 | 87% |
| Iowa | 263 | 285 | -8% | 8.4 | 97% |
| Kansas | 0 | 0 | — | 0.0 | 96% |
| Kentucky | 254 | 305 | -17% | 5.5 | 100% |
| Louisiana | 656 | 549 | +19% | 17.4 | 82% |
| Maine | 74 | 63 | +17% | 5.3 | 99% |
| Maryland | 622 | 577 | +8% | 10.0 | 100% |
| Massachusetts | 231 | 184 | +26% | 3.2 | 100% |
| Michigan | 1,109 | 1,056 | +5% | 11.2 | 98% |
| Minnesota | 417 | 379 | +10% | 7.2 | 100% |
| Mississippi | 177 | 167 | +6% | 9.2† | 65% |
| Missouri | 603 | 577 | +5% | 9.8 | 98% |
| Montana | 166 | 131 | +27% | 14.6 | 100% |
| Nebraska | 133 | 126 | +6% | 6.8 | 97% |
| Nevada | 288 | 279 | +3% | 8.9 | 100% |
| New Hampshire | 267 | 225 | +19% | 19.0 | 100% |
| New Jersey | 130 | 106 | +23% | 1.9† | 73% |
| New Mexico | 156 | 127 | +23% | 7.8 | 94% |
| New York | 60 | 50 | +20% | 0.4† | 79% |
| North Carolina | 813 | 778 | +4% | 7.6 | 97% |
| North Dakota | 162 | 138 | +17% | 20.4 | 100% |
| Ohio | 625 | 426 | +47% | 5.6 | 94% |
| Oklahoma | 863 | 791 | +9% | 21.1 | 100% |
| Oregon | 554 | 522 | +6% | 13.2 | 98% |
| Pennsylvania | 521 | 480 | +9% | 7.9† | 50% |
| Rhode Island | 77 | 71 | +8% | 6.9 | 100% |
| South Carolina | 600 | 630 | -5% | 11.0 | 100% |
| South Dakota | 45 | 27 | +67% | 5.4 | 90% |
| Tennessee | 698 | 683 | +2% | 9.7 | 100% |
| Texas | 3,797 | 3,384 | +12% | 12.2 | 99% |
| Utah | 183 | 158 | +16% | 5.4 | 97% |
| Vermont | 81 | 63 | +29% | 12.5 | 100% |
| Virginia | 1,535 | 1,221 | +26% | 17.4 | 100% |
| Washington | 448 | 349 | +28% | 5.7 | 99% |
| West Virginia | 53 | 61 | -13% | 3.2 | 92% |
| Wisconsin | 416 | 399 | +4% | 7.1 | 98% |
| Wyoming | 85 | 83 | +2% | 16.1 | 90% |
Source: TotalVet analysis of FBI Crime Data Explorer data, pulled November 4, 2026. † Less than 80% of the state's population was covered by reporting agencies, so the rate is not comparable. Kansas reports almost no animal cruelty to NIBRS, so its zero reflects missing data.
When does animal cruelty happen most often?
Reported animal cruelty peaks in July. In 2024, police reported 2,744 animal cruelty offenses in July and 1,823 in December, and June through August accounted for 30% of the year's total. July has been the peak month in every year from 2019 to 2024 (FBI Crime Data Explorer; TotalVet analysis). The data cannot show why; more time outdoors, heat-related neglect and more people noticing animals outside are possible explanations.
What types of animal cruelty are most common?
Neglect is the most common type of reported animal cruelty. In FBI data from 2017 and 2018, about two-thirds of animal cruelty crimes reported to police involved neglect and one-third involved intentional cruelty, such as beating, fighting or sexual abuse (Addington & Randour, 2022).
In 2019 NIBRS data, neglect made up about 69% of single-type incidents, intentional abuse or torture about 28%, animal sexual abuse about 1.1% and animal fighting about 0.8% (Palais, 2021).
Intentional cruelty is more closely tied to other crime. One in five intentional cruelty incidents involved another offense, compared with 3% of neglect cases, and 35.3% of intentional cruelty incidents ended in an arrest compared with 25.9% of neglect cases (Addington & Randour, 2022). Criminologist Lynn Addington said the researchers were "surprised to see the difference in co-occurring offenses" (AWI, 2022).
Where does animal cruelty happen, and who commits it?
About 69% of animal cruelty offenses reported to the FBI in 2024 happened at a residence or home. Roads and sidewalks accounted for 9.5%, parking lots and garages 5.2%, and fields or woods 2.5% (FBI Crime Data Explorer).
Men made up 61% of the 2024 animal cruelty offenders whose sex was recorded (FBI). Adults ages 30 to 39 were the largest age group, at 26% of offenders with a known age; 6% were under 20, and 13% were 60 or older.
Who commits intentional cruelty differs from who commits neglect. In 2017–2018 FBI data, youth 18 and under were almost seven times more likely to be involved in intentional cruelty than in neglect, and males were four times more likely (AWI, 2022).
In a nationally representative survey of 43,093 U.S. adults, 1.8% reported ever having been cruel to animals (Vaughn et al., 2009). Higher rates were reported by men, people with lower incomes and education, and adults in the western U.S. Cruelty was associated with childhood conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder and a family history of antisocial behavior.
Does animal cruelty predict violence against people?
Animal cruelty is associated with violence against people, but it does not reliably predict who will become violent. In one study of 23 school shooters from 1988 to 2012, 10 (43%) had a reported history of animal cruelty (Arluke & Madfis, 2014; Arluke, 2018). Psychologist Hal Herzog points to a meta-analysis of 15 studies in which 34% of violent offenders had a history of animal abuse (Herzog, 2018). So did 21% of non-violent people, which limits cruelty's value as a screening tool.
When animal cruelty is reported alongside other crimes, those crimes are often violent. Of the 3,540 other offenses recorded in 2024 animal cruelty incidents, 44% were assault or intimidation (FBI; TotalVet analysis).
The link with family violence is stronger. In a 1983 study of 53 families where child abuse occurred, a family member had abused pets in 60% of the families (DeViney et al., 1983).
How is animal abuse connected to domestic violence?
Women in domestic violence shelters are far more likely than other women to report that a partner harmed a pet. In a Utah study, 54% of women in shelters said a partner had hurt or killed a pet, compared with 5% of a comparison group. Reports of threats to harm pets were more than 4 times higher among women in shelters (Ascione et al., 2007).
Across studies of pet-owning women receiving domestic violence services, between 25% and 71% reported that a partner threatened or harmed a pet. Between 18% and 48% delayed leaving because they feared for their pets (studies reviewed in Collins et al., 2018).
When animal cruelty occurred together with intimate partner violence in 2020 FBI data, 84.6% of those incidents involved intentional abuse rather than neglect (Addington & Randour, 2024).
Forty-two states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico now allow courts to include pets in domestic violence protection orders (MSU Animal Legal & Historical Center, 2026). The eight states without such a law are Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota. Fewer than 1 in 5 domestic violence shelters accept pets, up from about 8% in 2019 (Purina and RedRover, 2024). Survivors can search for pet-friendly shelters at SafePlaceForPets.org.
How common is animal hoarding?
The only peer-reviewed national estimate puts new U.S. animal hoarding cases at 700 to 2,000 a year (Patronek, 1999). In the 54 cases studied, the median household had 39 animals, and animals were found dead or in poor condition in 80% of cases. Women made up 76% of the people who hoarded animals.
In a review of 71 animal hoarding cases, 93% of homes were unsanitary, 70% had fire hazards and 16% were later condemned as unfit to live in (Reinisch, 2008). Estimates of how often people return to hoarding vary widely, from 13% to 41% in a 2023 systematic review to "at least 50%" in earlier estimates (Stumpf et al., 2023; Reinisch, 2008).
What are the laws on animal cruelty in the U.S.?
All 50 states have felony penalties for at least some forms of animal cruelty (ASPCA). The federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, signed November 25, 2019, makes the worst acts of animal cruelty a federal felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison (Public Law 116-72). It covers purposely crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating or impaling animals, and other serious bodily injury, including sexual abuse (18 U.S.C. § 48).
In the Animal Legal Defense Fund's 2025 rankings, Oregon had the strongest animal protection laws, followed by Massachusetts, Maine, Illinois and Colorado. North Dakota ranked last for the third year in a row, behind Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky and Mississippi (ALDF, 2025). The same report counts 44 states that require or allow veterinarians to report suspected cruelty, and 42 that let courts ban convicted offenders from owning animals.
Why are animal abuse statistics hard to pin down?
National animal abuse statistics count crimes reported to police, not animals harmed. The FBI classifies animal cruelty as a crime against society, so NIBRS records no species, number of animals or injuries (AWI, 2026).
Many cases never reach the FBI. Animal control agencies and humane societies that are not part of law enforcement can investigate cruelty without reporting it to NIBRS. Reporting practices also differ by state, which is why Delaware's rate is high and Kansas's is zero.
Which animal abuse statistics are myths?
Several widely repeated animal abuse statistics cannot be traced to a study, or misstate the study they came from. An earlier version of this page repeated the first one.
| Claim | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| "10 million animals die from abuse every year in the U.S." | No study, survey or agency produced this number. It is repeated by blogs and a 2024 USA Today article that cites another blog (example). |
| "An animal is abused every 60 seconds." | No source document exists. The figure appears on list sites without a study behind it. |
| "71% of domestic violence victims say their abuser targeted a pet." | Real, but from a 1998 pilot study of 38 women at one Utah shelter. A later study with a comparison group found 54% of women in shelters reported a partner hurt or killed a pet (Ascione, 1998; Collins et al., 2018). |
| "88% of homes with child abuse also have animal abuse." | The 1983 study behind it found pet abuse in 60% of 53 families where child abuse occurred, not 88% of all such homes (DeViney et al., 1983). |
| "250,000 animals are hoarded each year." | No published method was found. The peer-reviewed estimate is 700 to 2,000 new cases a year (Patronek, 1999). |
How do you report animal abuse?
Call 911 if an animal is in immediate danger. Otherwise, report suspected animal cruelty to your local animal control agency, police non-emergency line or humane society, and note what you saw, when and where. If someone is being abused and has a pet, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233, and SafePlaceForPets.org lists shelters that accept pets.
Frequently asked questions about animal abuse
How many animals are abused each year in the U.S.?
No one knows the true number of animals abused each year in the U.S. The best national measure is police reports: 26,160 animal cruelty offenses were reported to the FBI in 2024. The FBI counts offenses, not animals, and many cases are never reported to police (FBI).
Which state has the most animal abuse?
Texas reported the most animal cruelty offenses in 2024, with 3,797. Delaware had the highest rate, with 152.6 offenses per 100,000 residents (FBI).
Is animal cruelty a felony?
Yes. All 50 states have felony penalties for some forms of animal cruelty. The federal PACT Act of 2019 also makes the most severe acts a federal felony, with up to 7 years in prison (Public Law 116-72).
What is the most common type of animal cruelty?
Neglect is the most common type of animal cruelty reported to police, making up about two-thirds of reported cases in 2017–2018 FBI data (Addington & Randour, 2022).
Are animal abusers more likely to hurt people?
Animal cruelty is associated with domestic violence and other crimes, but most people who harm animals do not go on to harm people. One in five intentional cruelty incidents in FBI data involved another crime (Addington & Randour, 2022).
Methodology
TotalVet pulled animal cruelty offense counts (NIBRS offense code 720) from the FBI Crime Data Explorer on November 4, 2026. The pull covers national totals and all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for each year from 2016 to 2024, and the FBI's national 2024 breakdowns by location, offender age and sex, and related offenses. The national total includes some offenses not assigned to a state, so it is slightly higher than the sum of the state figures. Rates divide 2024 offenses by the average population served by reporting agencies. Rate rankings include only states where reporting agencies covered at least 80% of residents. Research findings are linked to the organization or journal that published them, and statistics that could not be traced to a source are listed as myths.
Sources
- FBI Crime Data Explorer (NIBRS offense code 720, animal cruelty). https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/
- Animal Welfare Institute, Center for the Study of NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data. https://awionline.org/programs/companion-animals/animal-cruelty/center-for-the-study-of-nibrs-animal-cruelty-data/
- AWI, 2024 NIBRS Animal Cruelty User Guide. https://awionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NIBRS-Animal-Cruelty-User-Guide-2024.pdf
- FBI, "Tracking Animal Cruelty" (2016). https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/-tracking-animal-cruelty
- Palais, Social Sciences 10(10):378 (2021). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/10/10/378
- Addington, LSE US Centre summary of Addington & Randour (2022). https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2022/07/07/understanding-the-differences-between-intentional-animal-cruelty-and-neglect-can-inform-how-authorities-respond-to-these-crimes/
- AWI, "New Research Identifies Key Differences Between Intentional Animal Abuse and Neglect" (2022). https://awionline.org/news/new-research-identifies-key-differences-between-intentional-animal-abuse-and-neglect/
- Addington & Randour, Journal of Family Violence (2024). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10896-024-00684-1
- Vaughn et al., Journal of Psychiatric Research 43(15) (2009). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19467669/
- Ascione et al., Violence Against Women 13(4) (2007). https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13574
- Collins et al., Violence Against Women 24(4) (2018). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5903551
- Ascione, Journal of Emotional Abuse 1(1) (1998), author copy. https://caid.ca/BatWomRep1998.pdf
- Arluke, New Zealand Herald (2018). https://nzherald.co.nz/world/how-reliably-does-animal-torture-predict-a-future-school-shooter/FGGO5CLDH3CBBVZ6MCZ5U3PSEM
- 18 U.S.C. § 48, Cornell Legal Information Institute. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/48
- DeViney, Dickert & Lockwood, International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems 4(4) (1983). https://wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/ijsap/vol4/iss4/16
- Arluke & Madfis, Homicide Studies 18(1) (2014). https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/socialwork_pub/352
- Herzog, Psychology Today (2018). https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/animals-and-us/201802/animal-cruelty-does-not-predict-who-will-be-school-shooter
- Patronek, Public Health Reports 114(1) (1999). https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/pascani/4
- Reinisch, Canadian Veterinary Journal 49(12) (2008). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2583418
- Stumpf et al., Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry 45(4) (2023). https://www.scielo.br/j/rbp/a/T7XWdP4ZCCX3BVQtR5GPS5C/
- MSU Animal Legal & Historical Center, pets in protection orders (2026). https://www.animallaw.info/article/domestic-violence-and-pets-list-states-include-pets-protection-orders
- Animal Legal Defense Fund, animals in protection orders. https://aldf.org/project/animals-included-in-protection-orders/
- Animal Legal Defense Fund, 2025 animal protection laws rankings. https://aldf.org/article/state-animal-protection-laws-ranked-oregon-1-north-dakota-50
- PACT Act, Public Law 116-72 (H.R. 724). https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/724
- ASPCA statement on the PACT Act (2019). https://www.aspca.org/node/62873
- Purina and RedRover, Purple Leash Project update (2024). https://www.supermarketnews.com/supplier-news/making-the-hidden-fight-of-domestic-abuse-survivors-and-their-pets-visible
- USA Today article reposted by Shelter Animals Count (2024). https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/animal-abuse-facts-and-statistics-2024/
- Safe Place for Pets. https://safeplaceforpets.org
Changelog
- November 5, 2026: Verified every source. Updated to the FBI's national 2024 total (26,160, which includes offenses not assigned to a state). Replaced 2019 location and offender figures with 2024 FBI data, and added seasonal and related-offense data. Replaced two dead source links and removed two figures that could not be traced to a primary source.
- November 4, 2026: Rebuilt with 2024 FBI data for all states. Replaced the 2012–2021 ranking, because the FBI began collecting animal cruelty data in 2016. Removed the unsourced "10 million animals" claim and sections on greyhound racing, exotic pets, zoos and animal activism.
