MSPCA cruelty calls rose nearly 26%. That does not tell us whether abuse did.

In a South Boston apartment, police described finding emaciated dogs in filthy cages without water and a dead dog beside a broken broomstick. Lester James, 39, was accused in September of killing two dogs and beating and starving several others. He pleaded not guilty; the allegations remain unresolved in court. The account, reported by CBS Boston on October 26, shows what can be at stake when suspected cruelty reaches investigators. It does not explain why more reports are coming in. ¹

Across Massachusetts, more people are calling the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals about suspected abuse and neglect. Whether that means more animals are suffering, more people recognize the warning signs, or more people know whom to call remains an open question. What is clear is that a small specialized workforce is receiving a larger volume of calls. ¹

The figures come from data obtained by WBZ-TV’s I-Team and published by CBS Boston. Comparing the same nine months in each year, the MSPCA received 131 more calls in 2026 than in 2024—a rise of approximately 25.7%, or nearly 26%. These are calls to one organization, not a statewide count of cruelty incidents or proven offenses. ¹

The increase also became steeper: calls rose by 36, about 7.1%, between 2024 and 2025, then by 95, about 17.4%, the following year. That establishes a faster rise in incoming calls, not a faster rise in abuse. ¹

The underlying call records have not been independently verified for this account. Nor is it established whether repeated contacts about the same incident are counted separately, how many calls became investigations, how many allegations were substantiated or how many animals were affected. Those distinctions determine whether the figures describe more separate problems, better detection of existing ones, or both.

Chris Schindler of the MSPCA offered one explanation rooted in the organization’s own changes: “We've added more officers, we are publicizing more cases and so there's more awareness to animal cruelty which drives more people to call.” The number of officers added and the dates of those additions were not established. But his explanation matters: an organization that becomes more visible can receive more reports even without an equivalent increase in the underlying harm. ¹

CBS reported that the MSPCA has 10 officers covering Massachusetts and the Animal Rescue League of Boston has three. Those are not the only people who can respond. City and town police also handle suspected cruelty, although local officers may lack the specialized experience these investigations require. ¹

The work extends beyond answering complaints. The MSPCA describes investigative and educational duties for its uniformed officers. The Animal Rescue League says its humane officers have Massachusetts Special State Police status, with authority to investigate and enforce cruelty laws. Their official pages establish those roles but do not independently corroborate the staffing figures reported by CBS. ^{16 17}

Schindler said the MSPCA is preparing more focused training for police: “We know the officers want it, they want to know what to do.” No launch date or participation total was established. He also warned that animal cruelty can be intertwined with violence against people—a concern behind specialized training, not something measured by the call totals or proof about any particular defendant. ¹

The Animal Rescue League investigated 634 cases over the past three years, according to CBS. That number cannot be added to the MSPCA totals to produce a statewide tally. It measures investigations at a different organization over a longer period, whose exact dates and definition of a case were not specified. Combining the figures would conceal their differences rather than clarify the scale of cruelty. ¹

While James’s prosecution remains unresolved, a Middleboro case has reached a different legal stage. Kimberly Savino, 44, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to 26 counts of animal abuse and neglect. Prosecutors sought jail time; the judge imposed a suspended sentence and probation, CBS reported. It was the second time Savino had faced animal-cruelty charges, but a previous charge alone does not establish a previous conviction. ¹

The distinction between the cases is essential. Savino admitted offenses; James has denied the accusations and prosecutors must prove them. Neither case establishes why calls increased. The subsequent condition of the surviving animals in the James case, and the animals’ later outcomes in the Savino case, were not established in the available reporting.

Karen LoStracco of the Animal Rescue League expressed frustration with punishment. “In Massachusetts, animal cruelty and neglect is a felony,” she told CBS. “We are not finding necessarily that the penalty is matching what the crime should be and that is frustrating.” That is her assessment of sentencing, not a statistical finding about courts statewide. The available account does not establish the judge’s reasoning in Savino’s case or the exact terms of her suspended sentence and probation. ¹

LoStracco also emphasized intervention before conditions deteriorate. “When people struggle, pets struggle,” she said. Her observation points toward a different part of animal protection: recognizing trouble early enough to help. It does not establish an economic cause for the increase in calls, and financial hardship should not be treated as synonymous with deliberate abuse. ¹

The next useful measure would connect reports to distinct investigations and animals’ outcomes. More calls may mean suffering that was previously hidden is finally being noticed. But the number of calls alone cannot tell the public whether animals are receiving protection before neglect or violence escalates.

Suspected abuse or neglect can be reported anonymously to the MSPCA, the Animal Rescue League or local police where it occurred. The MSPCA lists 617-522-6008 and 800-628-5808, with weekday reporting hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ^{1 9 10 19}

The MSPCA’s after-hours guidance asks callers to leave a name and callback number, including the area code. It warns that voicemail is not monitored at night, on weekends or on holidays. Leaving a message is therefore not the same as obtaining an immediate response. ^{9 10}

Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association reporting guidance also lists the Animal Rescue League at 617-426-9170, extension 110, or [email protected], and identifies local police in the jurisdiction where the suspected cruelty occurred as another reporting route. ¹⁹