Animal Cruelty

Unfortunately there is no law stating that you have to love your pets. There are laws however, that provide humane guidelines of being a responsible and humane pet owner.

Sioux Falls Animal Control responds and reacts to any cruelty, neglect, abandoned animals, or wellbeing checks for animals in the city.

City ordinances do require that the following must be provided for an animal

  • Proper food
  • Clean water
  • Adequate shelter
  • Necessary medical care

Please understand that what the law considers proper pet ownership may not meet up to your preferred standards. If you wish to review city ordinances regarding animal cruelty and mistreatment please click on the "City Ordinances" on the right.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT CRUELTY OR NEGLECT?

You may call Animal Control at 605-367-7000 7 days of the week 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are calling after hours you may call 605-367-7000 for an emergency standby officer. Most cruelty investigations and subsequent rescues come about because compassionate citizens notice something wrong and take action! Investigators are out and about every day, but they can't be everywhere. Whether it's a dog without water or shelter, animals locked in cars on scorching days, or neighbors who notice stray cats and a strong odor of ammonia, the public is our best watchdog to prevent animals from being mistreated.

WHAT IF I SUSPECT DOG FIGHTING? I DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH VIOLENT PEOPLE.

Dog fighting is a horrible and vicious act that is illegal in South Dakota. If you know of or suspect dog fighting please call 605-367-7000. As with any animal complaints you do have the right to remain anonymous.

WORRIED YOU'LL GET YOUR NEIGHBOR IN TROUBLE?

Don't be! Many times uneducated pet owners don't understand the law, or don't realize what they are doing is unhealthy for their animal. Animal Control Officers often use these instances as an opportunity to educate an owner. If an animal is not in imminent danger, public safety isn't threatened, and an owner is willing to work to improve conditions, officers will usually work with the owner to help him or her better understand their responsibilities and provide better pet care.

WHAT IF I'M JUST NOT SURE?

Call anyway. We get calls every week that don't meet legal requirements. Sioux Falls Animal Control would rather investigate a hundred situations where animals are ok, than to miss one where an animal is suffering needlessly.