Can I Call Animal Control on a Neighbor?

No one wants to even think about calling animal control on a neighbor. But when there’s a legitimate concern — suspected neglect, abuse, or a serious safety risk to animals or people — there may be no other option but to get the authorities involved. When that’s the case, you have the right and responsibility to call animal control on a neighbor.

Before calling animal control about a neighbor’s loose dog or constant barking, try speaking with your neighbor first, but only if the situation isn’t urgent and feels safe. We’ve outlined steps and considerations for both approaches, thanks to advice from animal control professionals across the US.

What is animal control? 

Animal control is a public service that protects people and animals by enforcing laws and local ordinances. Officers handle complaints, rescue stray or injured pets, reunite lost pets with their families, and investigate suspected cases of neglect or cruelty. 

We spoke with representatives at Multnomah County Animal Services who explained that animal control officers also educate the community about responsible pet parenthood and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, such as quarantine requirements. In some areas, the department operates as part of the local police or sheriff’s office. 

“There’s really no such thing as a ‘typical’ day in animal control,” says Angela Miedema, Division Director of Animal Services for Volusia County, Florida and board member of the National Animal Care and Control Association.

One day, she says, she might be answering questions about general pet care. The next day, she’s working alongside police officers to investigate a suspected dog-fighting ring.

Should I call animal control on my neighbor?

“I compare calling us to calling the police — but for animal issues,” Miedema says. “If you wouldn’t call the police, maybe it’s something that could be resolved with a simple conversation.”

Consider these situations that often pop up in neighborhoods. You might solve them with a friendly conversation rather than an official complaint:

• Dogs excessively barking or howling 

• Pet waste left in your yard

• Cats using your garden or sandbox as a litter box

• Pets wandering loose in the neighborhood

• A chicken coop that’s too close to a property line

Starting with a friendly, open conversation often goes a long way. Your neighbor might not even know their dog barks all day while they’re gone. Talking it through first can help avoid tension and contribute to more positive relationships in your community.

That said, here are some reasons why you should call animal control:

• A dog bite or animal attack

• Aggressive or dangerous animals

• Suspected neglect

• Animal hoarding

• Suspected illegal activity, including dog fighting, animal trafficking, or keeping exotic pets without permits

• Injured or sick stray animals

When to call animal control on a neighbor

Sometimes, something just doesn’t seem right next door. Although no single sign proves neglect or abuse, these red flags could point to a bigger problem that animal control should investigate. 

• There’s a strong, foul smell coming from the property.

• The pet parent is unable to provide basic care, like food, water, clean shelter, or vet care.

• The pet parent seems unaware of, or in denial about, an animal’s poor health or living conditions.

• There are more animals than the pet parent can realistically care for.

• An animal appears underweight, unwell, unkempt, or undersocialized.

Your neighbor might think they’re helping their pets, but are overwhelmed, experiencing financial hardship, or struggling with their mental health. “That’s why having an open line of communication with your neighbors can help. Maybe they just need help with a bag of dog food to get through some hard times,” Miedema says. 

If you still have concerns after talking to your neighbor, call animal control. They can help both the animal and the person caring for them. “Or, if you’re not sure how to approach a situation, we’re here to help if you need guidance or support,” Miedema adds. 

How to report a neighbor for animal abuse, neglect, or hoarding

“It’s not up to a resident to determine whether there is a violation, so don’t let uncertainty be a barrier to speaking up,” representatives at Multnomah County Animal Services tell us. Animal control might not find a violation, but officers can still give helpful information and resources to the pet parent .

Here are the steps you can take to file an official report with animal control.

1. Decide when to call animal control or the police

If you see a person or an animal in immediate danger, call 911 right away. This may include a pet locked in a hot car, badly hurt, or being abused. It could likewise involve a human or other animal being attacked by a dog. 

“Those first few minutes can be the difference between life and death,” Miedema says. “Don’t wait. If it feels like an emergency, treat it like one.”  For situations that call for an investigation, move forward in filing a report with animal control.

2. Know the law in your state

Before filing a report, review your state’s animal cruelty and neglect laws to understand what qualifies as a violation. “Just because someone doesn’t walk their dog every day or give them premium food doesn’t mean they’re being cruel,” Miedema says. 

If you’re thinking about reporting your neighbor anonymously (which is understandable), know that it can limit animal control’s legal reach. “In Florida, anonymous reports can’t be investigated for code violations by animal control officers unless there’s an immediate threat to public health, safety, or natural resources,” Miedema explains.

No matter which state you’re in, giving your name when you make a report helps a lot. It lets officers reach out if they need more details, and it means you can be a sworn witness if needed. That can be important if an officer doesn’t spot any obvious issues on their first visit.

3. Document what you see

Animal control’s enforcement is limited without concrete proof of a violation. Any evidence you can safely collect will help, but visual proof, such as photos or videos, is especially helpful. However, they must be obtained legally (from your property, a public space, or with permission). Miedema says doorbell cameras have become important tools in many investigations.

4. Make your report

Provide as many details as possible, including proof of violation, the address, descriptions of the animals, and any other relevant details. If sharing your name discourages you from reporting an issue, do it anonymously online or by phone. To find your local animal control agency, check your city or county’s official website. You can also report incidents to national organizations such as your local Humane Society. 

What happens when you call animal control on a neighbor?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, Miedema says. Each situation is unique, and animal control balances enforcing the law with showing empathy. Reporting an incident isn’t necessarily an accusation. However, many calls initiate an investigation, first with a welfare check and then any additional steps after that. 

In many cases, the team at Multnomah County Animal Services, for instance, will connect pet parents with resources to help them care for their animals and get back on their feet. “That might mean promoting social services to support equity, connecting individuals with resources to ensure stability and long-term success, and aiming to make pet ownership and animal care more affordable,” they say.

In more serious cases, the situation might be taken to court, with an animal removed from the pet parent’s custody. “When I make the decision to remove an animal, it’s never taken lightly,” Miedema says. “With shelters overwhelmed and quick outcomes not guaranteed, removing a pet can sometimes mean placing it into an already strained shelter where it may not thrive. That’s why education and support come first whenever possible.”

Commonly asked questions

When to call animal control for a barking dog? 

You should contact animal control for a barking dog only if you’ve spoken with your neighbor and nothing has improved. You can also call if you don’t know how to approach them or feel unsafe doing so. “Sometimes the owner has no idea their dog barks all day while they are away, and no one takes the time to tell them it is a nuisance before calling us,” Miedema says.

What can I do about my neighbor’s dog in my yard? 

If the dog isn’t aggressive, try talking to your neighbor first — they may not realize their dog is getting out. You might be able to discuss solutions, like splitting the cost of a shared fence. If the dog is acting aggressively — or you’ve already spoken to your neighbor and nothing has changed — then it’s time to call your county animal control. “We had a case where dogs kept getting loose and chasing people, but were always back home by the time we arrived,” Miedema says. “The owners consistently denied their dogs were ever out, and it was incredibly frustrating for the neighborhood. Thanks to door camera footage…we were able to hold the owners accountable.”