To report suspected neglect or abuse, please contact the Steuben County Sherriff’s office:260-665-3131 or the Communications Office after business hours:  260-665-5521
Our humane shelter is not able to initiate investigations into abuse or neglect. County services will request our support if an investigation necessitates any rescue action.

Animal Bites are handled by law enforcement. For follow-up purposes, please ask who you are speaking to! Farm animals may also be reported.

Regulation of the treatment of animals takes place on the federal, state, and local level. Indiana state law prohibits cruelty, abandonment, and neglect of animals. Act of torture and physical abuse of an animal is a crime in Indiana. IC 35-46-3-12. Neglect or abandonment of an animal is a crime in Indiana. IC 35-46-3-7. A court may permanently confiscate animals that are abused or neglected. IC 35-46-3-6.

Regulation of the treatment of animals in Indiana is not limited to state laws; counties may regulate animals.