How to Report Animal Cruelty in Tennessee: What You Need to Know
June 21, 2026
Animal cruelty happens in every state, and Tennessee is no exception. Whether you’ve spotted a dog chained without water in the summer heat or witnessed something more severe, knowing how the state’s reporting system works is the first step toward getting an animal the help it needs.
Tennessee law gives both ordinary citizens and certain professionals specific roles in the reporting process. This guide walks you through what the law defines as cruelty, who can and must report it, how to file a report, what happens next, and what penalties abusers face.
What Counts as Animal Cruelty in Tennessee
Tennessee draws a clear legal line between standard animal cruelty and the more serious charge of aggravated cruelty. Understanding the difference matters because the two carry very different penalties.
Standard cruelty is defined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-202. The statute defines animal cruelty as intentionally or knowingly torturing, maiming, or grossly overworking an animal; failing unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter; abandoning an animal in one’s custody; or transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner.
A person also commits an offense who knowingly ties, tethers, or restrains a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury. In practical terms, Tennessee law states that if a dog is injured while on a chain, it is considered animal cruelty and neglect.
Aggravated cruelty is a separate and more serious offense. A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, the person intentionally or knowingly kills, maims, tortures, crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, mutilates, starves, or otherwise causes serious physical injury, a substantial risk of death, or death to a companion animal — or fails to provide food or water resulting in a substantial risk of death or death.
Animal fighting is also prohibited under Tennessee law, with dog fighting incurring a felony penalty and cockfighting resulting in a misdemeanor in most cases.
Important Note: Tennessee law includes several legal exemptions. Exclusions from the cruelty statutes include animal farming, research, veterinary practices, hunting, trapping, dispatching rabid animals or wild animals on one’s property, and applying methods and equipment used to train livestock animals. When in doubt about whether something qualifies, report it and let authorities make the determination.
For livestock specifically, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture conducts welfare examinations only in livestock cases, and the guidance applies to cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and other livestock. You can read more about how the state handles animal cruelty laws in Tennessee broadly, including how these definitions intersect with other statutes.
Who Can Report Animal Cruelty in Tennessee
Any person who witnesses or reasonably suspects animal cruelty in Tennessee can file a report. You do not need to be a professional, a property owner, or even a resident of the county where the abuse occurred. If you are unsure whether what you witnessed is or is not animal cruelty or neglect, always err on the side of caution and let the proper authorities determine if it is or is not within local ordinances or Tennessee state laws.
You may report anonymously, though the more information provided — including witnesses — the better the chance that authorities can address the situation. Your information would not be disclosed to anyone other than local law enforcement without your consent, and humane organizations will not reveal who reported to the animal’s owner under any circumstances.
If you see or hear an animal that appears to be abused, mistreated, or neglected, contact your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or the humane society. In Tennessee, humane society agents are allowed to arrest people who have violated the state’s animal protection laws and to seize the mistreated animals. Even if the owner’s behavior is not against the law or an ordinance, the humane society may be able to do something to correct the problem.
Pro Tip: If you can use your phone to capture photo or video of the situation, that is always helpful. Getting tag numbers from vehicles or capturing other pertinent information helps law enforcement better assist the animal.
One important caveat applies to livestock complaints filed with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture: for investigatory purposes and allocation of resources, TDA will inspect only formal complaints filed by a person with first-hand knowledge of the livestock conditions. Livestock reports cannot be filed anonymously through that channel.
Who Is Required to Report Animal Cruelty in Tennessee
Tennessee has a mandatory cross-reporting law that places a legal duty on a specific category of state employees. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-1-402, any state, county, or municipal employee of a child or adult protective services agency, while acting in a professional capacity or within the scope of employment, who has knowledge of or observes an animal that the person knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of cruelty, abuse, or neglect, shall report the known or reasonably suspected animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect to the entity or entities that investigate reports of animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect in that county.
The report may be made within two working days of receiving the information, by electronic transmission of a written report or by telephone. In cases where an immediate response may be necessary to protect the health and safety of the animal or others, the report may be made by telephone as soon as possible.
The name of any employee of a child or adult protective services agency who reports known or reasonably suspected animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect shall remain confidential. This protection exists to encourage reporting without fear of professional or personal exposure.
This cross-reporting requirement reflects a well-documented connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. Organized cruelty, such as dogfighting, cockfighting, and other blood sports, is illegal in all 50 states and is linked to other criminal activities such as human violence, gambling, and drug distribution. Tennessee’s cross-reporting statute acknowledges that animal abuse and human abuse often occur in the same households. You can see how similar mandatory reporting frameworks operate in states like Ohio and Georgia.
How to Report Animal Cruelty in Tennessee
The right agency to contact depends on the type of animal involved and where you are located in the state.
Companion Animals and Pets
If your concern involves a dog, cat, or companion animal, you must contact local authorities. This means reaching out to your county’s animal control agency, the local sheriff’s office, or a municipal police department. Local police, county sheriffs, and animal control officers all have authority to investigate abandonment reports and intervene when an animal is in distress.
In Nashville, you can file a report through Metro Animal Care and Control’s online portal. You can also call Metro Animal Care and Control at (615) 862-7928. In Chattanooga, animal cruelty and neglect can be reported to McKamey Animal Center by calling (423) 305-6500 and pressing 1. The National Link Coalition’s Tennessee page maintains a county-by-county directory of animal control contacts across the state.
Livestock and Farm Animals
When a citizen believes that livestock is being subjected to cruelty, that citizen can contact local law enforcement or file a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Once a livestock cruelty complaint is received by TDA, it is forwarded to a TDA Animal Health Official who will notify law enforcement of the complaint and coordinate an inspection. If TDA finds that the animal’s condition suggests cruelty, TDA will work with local authorities to process criminal charges.
What to Include in Your Report
A detailed report gives investigators the best chance to act quickly. When you file a report, include as much detail as possible: the animal’s location, physical condition, how long you’ve observed the situation, and whether you’ve seen anyone come or go. Photographs are especially valuable.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-1-403, a formal written report should also include:
- The name, address, and phone number of the person making the report
- The name and address of the animal’s owner or custodian, if known
- The location of the animal and the premises where the suspected cruelty occurred
- The date, time, and a description of the observation or incident that led the reporter to suspect animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect, and any other information the reporter believes may be relevant
Important Note: Tennessee law makes it a felony to present a false or baseless complaint regarding an animal cruelty matter. Report only what you have personally witnessed or have reasonable grounds to suspect.
What Happens After You Report in Tennessee
Once you submit a report, the process moves into the hands of investigators. Once authorities receive a report, they can conduct a welfare check and, if the animal is in distress, seize it and begin building a case for prosecution.
Upon seizure by law enforcement, custody of any animal victimized under the cruelty statutes is placed with a governmental animal control agency, law enforcement agency, or their designee. The governmental animal control agency or law enforcement agency shall assist the animal and preserve evidence for prosecution.
For any animal placed under the humane society’s care, the owner must pay for the animal’s care. If a criminal case is pending, the government or humane society can ask a judge to order the owner to pay for the animal’s care.
For livestock complaints specifically, the Department’s primary role in evaluating livestock cruelty allegations is to determine whether an animal’s conditions support a charge of animal cruelty. It is at the discretion of the local district attorney to decide if a criminal case will be pursued and what steps will be taken to resolve that case.
Investigations often include veterinary necropsies of deceased animals to determine cause of death and signs of starvation, abuse, or neglect. Forensic veterinarians document injuries to build legal cases.
As a reporter, be aware that complaints have the potential to become criminal investigations, and therefore you will not receive updates about your complaint. This is standard practice across the state to protect the integrity of potential prosecutions.
The investigation and prosecution process in Tennessee follows patterns similar to those in neighboring states. For comparison, see how North Carolina and Missouri handle post-report investigations.
Penalties for Animal Cruelty in Tennessee
Tennessee’s penalty structure escalates based on the severity of the offense and the offender’s prior history.
| Offense | Classification | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| First-offense cruelty (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-202) | Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail; up to $2,500 fine |
| Second or subsequent cruelty conviction | Class E Felony | Up to 6 years in prison |
| Aggravated cruelty to a companion animal (§ 39-14-212) | Class E Felony | Up to 6 years in prison |
| Aggravated cruelty to livestock (§ 39-14-217) | Class E Felony | Up to 6 years in prison |
| Dog fighting | Felony | Felony-level penalties |
A first offense for animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. A second or subsequent conviction for cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.
Beyond incarceration and fines, courts impose additional consequences. Upon a conviction for animal cruelty, aggravated cruelty, or dog fighting, the court must order the defendant to surrender the animal. A judge may also prohibit the defendant from having custody of other animals. For an aggravated cruelty or dog fighting conviction, the court must prohibit the defendant from having custody of any companion animal for at least two years and can impose a lifetime prohibition.
In addition to the penalty imposed, the court may require the defendant to undergo psychological evaluation and counseling, the cost of which is borne by the defendant. If a juvenile is found to be within the court’s jurisdiction for conduct that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal violation involving cruelty to animals, the court may order that the juvenile be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or psychological treatment. If the court determines that treatment is appropriate, it may order that treatment.
The Tennessee Animal Abuse Registry
Tennessee maintains a public animal abuse registry administered by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. People who are convicted of abusing pets in Tennessee must surrender their pets. They may also be listed in the state’s animal abuse registry, with their name, photo, and offense published on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s website, which is available to the public.
Being listed on a public abuse registry can create practical problems with landlords, employers, and adoption agencies that run background checks, even though the registry itself does not impose additional legal penalties.
If someone convicted of aggravated animal cruelty lives with children or elderly individuals, the court may notify the appropriate protective agencies, which may investigate to ensure that the household members are safe.
To understand how Tennessee’s penalty framework compares to other states, see our coverage of Texas, California, and Pennsylvania animal cruelty laws. If you’re interested in other Tennessee-specific animal law topics, you may also find our guides on emotional support animal laws in Tennessee and dangerous animals in Tennessee useful.
Reporting animal cruelty is one of the most direct ways to protect animals that cannot speak for themselves. Tennessee gives you the tools and the legal backing to act — and the state’s escalating penalty structure means that those who harm animals face real consequences.