Justice · Animal cruelty reportingMassachusetts cruelty reports: MSPCA calls rise nearly 26% in two yearsAired October 27, 2026 at 4:16 AM UTCWritten October 27, 2026 at 4:22 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07The MSPCA receives six hundred and forty one calls about suspected animal cruelty in0:11nine months.0:12That's one hundred and thirty one more calls than two years earlier, reaching a0:16small specialized workforce responsible for animals across Massachusetts.0:19Investigators still don't know whether more animals are being abused or more people0:23are speaking up.0:24City and town police also respond to suspected animal cruelty across Massachusetts.0:28The call figures cover one organization, the Massachusetts Society for the0:32Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, known as the MSPCA.0:35Other agencies receive reports too.0:37Someone calling about suspected neglect can bring an animal suffering to0:40investigators' attention.0:42But the number of calls alone can't tell us how many separate incidents occurred or0:45how many allegations proved true.0:47The MSPCI received five hundred and ten calls from January through September20240:52that rose to five hundred forty-six in the same months of two thousand and0:55twenty-five, then six hundred forty-one in two thousand twenty-six.0:58Those matching nine-month periods show a nearly twenty-six percent increase over two1:02years.1:03The increase also grew larger each year.1:05Calls rose by thirty-six, about seven point one percent between two thousand and1:09twenty-four and two thousand and twenty-five.1:11The following year's increase was ninety five calls about seventeen point four1:14percent.1:14These totals measure incoming calls about suspected cruelty.1:17They don't measure a statewide increase in proven abuse.1:20The MSPCA has added officers and publicized more cases.1:23Its representative Chris Schindler says that greater visibility makes people more1:27aware of cruelty and encourages them to call.1:30The organization's own changes could help explain the increase.1:34More abuse, better recognition, and greater willingness to report could all1:37contribute.1:38The figures don't separate those possibilities.1:40Schindler also says the MSPCA is preparing more focused training for local police.1:44He says officers want to learn what to do when they encounter these cases.1:47Ten MSPCA officers cover the state.1:50The Animal Rescue League of Boston has three.1:52City and town police add to that response, but local officers may lack the1:56specialized experience needed to investigate animal cruelty.1:59The MSPCA's uniformed officers investigate complaints and educate people about2:03animal care.2:04The League's humane officers have Massachusetts special state police status, giving2:08them authority to investigate and enforce cruelty laws.2:11That specialized work reaches beyond responding to a telephone call.2:14The Animal Rescue League investigated six hundred thirty-four cases over the past2:18three years.2:18That's a multi-year investigation total from a different organization.2:21Adding it to the MSPCI's nine month call totals would produce a misleading statewide2:26number.2:26Two criminal cases show what investigators can encounter and how differently2:30prosecutions can unfold.2:32They can't explain the size or cause of the increase in calls.2:35Lester James,39, was accused in September of killing two dogs and beating and2:39starving several others in his South Boston apartment.2:41Police described emaciated dogs in filthy cages without water and a dead dog beside2:46a broken broomstick.2:47James pleaded not guilty.2:49The allegations remain unresolved in court.2:51Schindler says he hopes people are held accountable, especially in extreme cruelty2:55cases.2:56Kimberly Savino, forty four, pleaded guilty in March two thousand and twenty six to3:00twenty six counts of animal abuse and neglect in Middleborough.3:03Prosecutors sought jail time.3:05The judge imposed a suspended sentence and probation.3:08It was her second time facing animal cruelty charges.3:11That earlier charge alone doesn't tell us whether she had a previous conviction.3:14Her guilty plea in this case admitted offenses.3:17James is not.3:18Guilty plea leaves prosecutors to prove their accusations.3:21Animal cruelty and neglect is a felony in Massachusetts.3:24Karen Lostraco of the Animal Rescue League says she's frustrated that punishment3:28doesn't always match the seriousness of the crime.3:30That's her assessment of sentencing rather than a statewide statistical finding.3:34Lo Straco also says investigators are seeing people struggle with consequences for3:38their pets and want to intervene before conditions escalate.3:41Financial hardship alone doesn't explain the call increase.3:44Schindler warns that animal cruelty can be intertwined with violence against people.3:48Another reason he wants specialized training.3:50More calls are reaching investigators.3:52Whether that means more abuse remains unresolved.3:55Connecting reports to separate investigations and animals' outcomes would help show3:59whether intervention is getting animals protection before neglect or violence4:02escalates.4:03People can report suspected abuse or neglect anonymously to the MSPCA, the Animal4:08Rescue League, or local police where it occurred.4:10The MSPCA takes calls weekdays from nine to five.4:14Its after-hours guidance asks for a name and callback number, including the area4:18code.4:18Leaving a message won't bring an immediate response.4:21The MSPCA doesn't monitor that voicemail at night, on weekends, or on holidays.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗
