Lake Humane Society provides protection to the animals of Lake County through our Humane Investigations Department. The Lake Humane Society Agent, who is appointed by the Lake County Probate Court, works together with local law enforcement to fight animal cruelty and neglect across all of Lake County. In the state of Ohio, a Humane Agent is empowered to enforce state laws regarding animal cruelty. Please note that the Lake Humane Society Agent only has jurisdiction in Lake County, Ohio. Like all programs and services offered by our organization, our Humane Investigations Department runs solely on donations as we receive no outside funding for this department. This means that all expenses related to this department, from equipment to attorney fees to staff wages, are dependent on donations.
Humane Investigations
What You Can Do
If you believe you’ve witnessed suspected animal abuse, neglect or cruelty in Lake County, Ohio, please contact our Humane Investigations Department at (440) 951-6122, extension 105. If you are witnessing a violent animal crime or if LHS is closed and an animal is in severe distress and immediate intervention is needed, contact your local police department for immediate assistance. When leaving a message, please provide an accurate street address, description of the animal(s), a detailed description of the situation, and your name and phone number. The Humane Investigations Department receives hundreds of calls each year and responds to every call in order of urgency. If you leave a report and the situation worsens, please call back and update the information.
Ohio Animal Cruelty Laws
View the Ohio laws regarding animal cruelty below Cruelty to Animals
Cruelty to Companion Aniamls
A “companion animal” means any animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it is kept. “Companion animal” does not include livestock or any wild animal.