nibrs carousel

The FBI Animal Cruelty Database

On January 1, 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began tracking crimes against animals via the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), listing animal cruelty crimes as Group A offensesthe same category as arson, rape, and murder. The NIBRS database will now include all animal cruelty cases investigated by participating law enforcement agecies, which will fall under four categories: gross neglect, torture, organized abuse (such as dogfighting and cockfighting), and sexual abuse (bestiality). 

On January 1, 2021, NIBRS replaced the FBI's Summary Reporting System (SRS), which had been in use since 1930 and did not track crimes against animals. A transition to NIBRS will allow the FBI to gather a comprehensive database about crimes against animals from participating law enforcement agencies. This is a huge step forward because it is the first time animal cruelty statistics will be collected by a federal agency and will help identify patterns of crime committed against animals. In 2019, there were 9,956 animal cruelty offences reported in NIBRS from participating law enforcement agencies.

Throughout the years, LCA has campaigned to increase citizen and law enforcement participation in NIBRS as this important database, when utilized by all law enforcement agencies across the United States, will be instrumental in linking crimes nationwide and will prevent crimes against both animals and humans. A study done by Northwestern University found people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans, and it is a known fact that serial killers often start by torturing and killing animals.

Participation in NIBRS has increased significantly across the United States, but there are still many law enforcement agencies that are not participating in NIBRS. LCA's campaign is targeted at increasing participation from citizens and law enforcement agencies, identifying the link between animal and human violence, and creating a comprehensive database to track crimes committed against animals.

Great News: Strengthening The National Animal Cruelty Act!

On November 25, 2019, the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was signed into law, making animal cruelty a federal felony. The bi-partisan bill, which was introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla), closes a loophole in the 2010 Animal Crushing Video Prohibtion Act by outlawing the crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, and sexual exploitation of animals. The 2010 Act previously only banned the actual creation and distribution of animal crushing videos, not the underlying acts of animal abuse. Those found guilty of violating the law will be charged with a federal felony offense and will face a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

How NIBRS Can Succeed

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. contribute crime data to NIBRSbut their involvement is on a voluntary basis. Of the nearly 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the countryincluding city police, university/college police, county police and sheriffs, state police, tribal police, and even some federal agenciesonly about 43 percent contribute crime data to NIBRS. If you live in one of the many jurisdictions that do not report to NIBRS, animal crimes that occur in your area are not currently entered into the database.

FBI NIBRS page Amy Blasher Quote 2

From LCA interview with FBI Unit Chief Amy Blasher, 2016


In order for animal cruelty to be properly tracked and studied by the FBI, NIBRS must be implemented by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States

Unfortunately, many of the largest law enforcement agencies in the country including the New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles police departmentsdo not report to NIBRS at all. The FBI animal cruelty database can only succeed if law enforcement agencies participateand citizens like you can help make this happen. 

FBI NIBRS page John Thompson Quote 1

From LCA interview with Deputy Executive Director John Thompson, 2016

LCA's Campaign: Animal Cruelty = Human Cruelty

It's a proven fact that serial killers like the Boston Strangler, Son of Sam, and Jeffrey Dahmer tortured and killed animals before they began murdering human victimsLCA actively campaigns against animal abusers because we know where it leads:

As Chris DeRose has been saying for years: "There is a direct correlation between animal abuse and violent offenders."


What You Can Do to Help the Database Succeed:



2. If you live in a state with partial NIBRS participation, check here to see if your local jurisdiction is participating. If your local law enforcement agency is not listed, that means they do currently participate. Contact the agency directly and urge them to join the system. (Click here for sample letter.)

3. Report all animal cruelty, and encourage others to do the same. For the database to succeed, your local law enforcement must be notified of crimes against animals and report them.