Humane Investigations

The Animal Welfare League investigates cases of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment. Our animal cruelty investigations department provides services to our community. Our approved Humane Investigators follow the Illinois Humane Care For Animals Act. Upon performing an investigation, they will take necessary measures to educate the public and contact the proper authorities to aid in the unlawful care of an animal.

Our Humane Investigator(s) are approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Please contact us during normal business hours. For after hour complaints or emergency situations, we ask that you please contact your local Police Department or Animal Control facility

To Report Animal Cruelty:

All reports of cruelty to animals are taken very seriously by the Animal Welfare League. To report cruelty, animal abandonment, hoarding or cases of animal fighting, please contact the your local police department or animal control. 

Please be prepared to provide:

  • The exact street address of the property where the animal is located.
  • The exact nature of the complaint  (dog left outside with no shelter, abandoned in apartment, etc)
  • Description of the animal (color, breed, size, adult/pup)
  • A contact number where you can be reached.  It is not mandatory to leave your contact information but it does make the investigator’s job simpler should they have any questions. 

To Report Dog Fighting in Illinois:

  • In Chicago, call 911 whenever dog fighting is seen in progress or 311 if it is suspected.
  • In other municipalities, contact your local police department. Reports can be made anonymously.
  • In Cook County, Illinois, you may call the Cook County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-535-STOP if you have information about dog-fighting.
  • Report anything unusual in your neighborhood, such as large numbers of dogs, excessive barking, illegal kennels, unusual number of people “coming and going” in abandoned buildings, garages, or lots.

How to recognize dogfighting as presented by the Humane Society of the United States.