Forwarded message - please repy to conncat@fairpoint.net

Where to report Internet Animal Abuse / Cruelty Crimes

Please cross post

WHERE TO REPORT INTERNET ANIMAL ABUSE/CRUELTY/CRIMES:

If you see websites depicting animal abuse, it must be reported
immediately. Please don't contact the website owners; contact the
authorities with the appropriate links and relevant material. I have
written a brief introductory letter to use as needed for the
authorities and the site providers (it is important to remember that
the companies that host the sites will STILL have access to the
information on their individual servers). Please review and keep the
following information:

WEBSITES FOR REPORTING:

US-based crimes (complaint can originate from any country, though):
http://www.ic3.gov/ http://www.ic3.gov/
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.htm

Internationally-based crimes (can include US depending on your
residence):
https://tips.fbi.gov/ https://tips.fbi.gov/
http://www.interpol.int/public/mail/mail3.asp?id=info
http://www.interpol.int/public/mail/mail3.asp?id=info

TO GET WEBSITE DISABLED (as taken from below):

Because abusive content often violates the user agreement that the
creator of the website has signed with the Internet Service Provider
(ISP), notifying the ISP about the abusive content may result in the
website being removed from the Internet.

To make a report to the ISP, you need to determine who hosts the
website.

1. To do that, go to http://www.domaintools.com/
http://www.domaintools.com/ , enter the website URL in the "Who is
Lookup" search box and click on the search button.

2. Scroll down the results page until you find the numerical
Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the website.

3. Then go to http://www.arin.net/ http://www.arin.net/ (American
Registry for Internet Numbers) and enter that IP address in the
"Search WHOIS" box and click on the search button.

4. The search results page will provide information about the ISP
that hosts the website. The page also might display information
about how to report abuse.

5. If it does not, go to
*http://www.search.org/programs/hightech/isp/
http://www.search.org/programs/hightech/isp/ *
and find the complete contact information for the ISP on the list.
All of this information should also be included in your FBI
complaint form, where possible.
If you believe an animal is in immediate harm, and if the location
is known, contact local police and your local FBI branch office as
soon as possible. To locate your local FBI branch, visit
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm .

You can also visit PETA's site and follow the steps provided there
to complain about a website (the result will be the same as above
but via different route):
http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/onlinecruelty.asp
http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/onlinecruelty.asp
BACKGROUND:

http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/fact-sheets/internet-animal-abuse.html
http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/fact-sheets/internet-animal-abuse.html

Tips for Reporting Internet Animal Abuse
The Internet can be a powerful medium for connecting us to
information to combat animal cruelty, but it also can be a haven for
animal abusers who celebrate and actively advertise their shocking
crimes. The best way to stop this type of abuse is to immediately
report it to the proper authorities and to refrain from contacting,
visiting or forwarding links to the offending sites.
Why is it important to report suspected Internet animal cruelty?

Reporting any type of suspected animal cruelty may save animals'
lives as well as people's lives. When animals are abused, people are
also at risk. The Link® between animal abuse and other forms of
societal violence is well-documented. That is why it is critical to
immediately report conduct on the Internet that you suspect may be
-- or that you know is -- animal abuse.
If I see animal cruelty on the Internet, what should I do?
partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime
Center, at http://www.ic3.gov/ http://www.ic3.gov/ . The website
will direct you to the page where you can file your complaint. At
first glance, it may appear that the website will only consider
complaints of Internet monetary fraud. However, IC3 is the proper
venue for all Internet crimes, including animal abuse.
* IC3 can best process your complaint if the information you provide
is as detailed and complete as possible. This includes providing the
complete URL (website address) for the website that displayed the
suspected animal cruelty.
* Even if you are located outside the United States, IC3 will review
your report as long as the suspected abuser is located in the United
States.

What happens after I file a report with the IC3?

* IC3 will email your report ID and password to you, along with a
link to an area on the IC3 website where you can view your report
* Upon receipt of your report, IC3 will carefully evaluate it and
refer it to the appropriate federal, state, local or international
law enforcement or regulatory agencies. Every report that is
referred is sent to one or more law enforcement or regulatory
agencies that have jurisdiction over the matter. At that point, the
report may be assigned to an investigator. IC3 cannot guarantee that
your complaint will be investigated.

What else can I do?

* Because abusive content often violates the user agreement that the
creator of the website has signed with the Internet Service Provider
(ISP), notifying the ISP about the abusive content may result in the
* To make a report to the ISP, you need to determine who hosts the
website. To do that, go to http://www.domaintools.com/
http://www.domaintools.com/ , enter the website URL in the "Whois
Lookup" search box and click on the search button. Scroll down the
results page until you find the numerical Internet Protocol (IP)
address assigned to the website. Then go to http://www.arin.net/
http://www.arin.net/> (American Registry for Internet Numbers) and
enter that IP address in the "Search WHOIS" box and click on the
search button. The search results page will provide information
about the ISP that hosts the website. The page also might display
information about how to report abuse. If it does not, go to
www.search.org/programs/hi
http://www.search.org/programs/hightech/isp and find the complete
contact information for the ISP on the list. All of this information
should also be included in your FBI complaint form, where possible.
* If you believe an animal is in immediate harm, and if the location
is known, contact local police and your local FBI branch office as
soon as possible. To locate your local FBI branch, visit
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm .

How does the law currently handle Internet animal cruelty?

Because communications through the Internet have the ability to
cross state lines, the Internet is largely governed by federal law.
Improving the federal laws as they pertain to Internet animal abuse
is critical. Currently, only a few federal laws address the issue
directly:

* The Crush Act (P.L.106-152) penalizes the display of acts of
cruelty and sexual abuse of animals that is intended for interstate
commerce. If convicted, offenders may receive up to five years in
prison or a large fine. Two criteria must be met before this statute
applies: 1) actual abuse must occur and 2) the website in question
must intend to sell the images across state lines. In other words, a
website may legally display images of animal cruelty and sexual
abuse under this law as long as it is not charging visitors for
access or otherwise selling the images. In 2005, the first
conviction under this statute occurred in a federal district court
in Virginia.
* The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (P.L. 110-27)
strengthens the ability of law enforcement to combat animal fighting
by providing felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and
export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in
cockfighting weapons. Each violation of this federal law is
punishable by up to three years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine
for perpetrators.
* Internet Hunting: The Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act (H.R.
2711/S. 2422) is a pending federal bill introduced by Rep. Brad
Sherman (D-CA) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). It seeks to
prohibit knowingly making available a "computer-assisted remote
hunt" (using a computer or other device, equipment or software to
control the aiming and discharge of a weapon to hunt).

Additional US site:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.htm
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.htm

Regarding International Law and Reporting International sites:
http://www.animallaw.info/treaties/itceceets125.htm
http://www.animallaw.info/treaties/itceceets125.htm
https://tips.fbi.gov/ https://tips.fbi.gov/
http://www.interpol.int/public/mail/mail3.asp?id=info
http://www.interpol.int/public/mail/mail3.asp?id=info

The following are the sample letters to use for reporting. The first
letter is to the relevant agency, whether IC3 or Interpol, etc. The
second is for reporting the site to the internet site provider.

SAMPLE INTRODUCTORY LETTER TO REPORT INTERNET CRUELTY:
To Whom It May Concern:

I have been notified of a particular website that depicts violent
acts of animal cruelty. These images are extremely disturbing and
clearly establish blatant and vicious crimes against animals; once
you review the provided material, you will understand this is
demonstrative of unlawful acts of animal cruelty as established by
respectfully request that your resources be applied to investigating
and prosecuting these perpetrators and disbanding the website.

Thank you for your time and attention.

SAMPLE INTRODUCTORY LETTER TO REPORT INTERNET SITE:
RE: (C/P Internet site address in this space)

I have been notified of the above website that depicts violent acts
of animal cruelty. These images are extremely disturbing and clearly
establish blatant and vicious crimes against animals; once you view
the provided material, you will understand this is demonstrative of
Act and relevant local and international statutes. I respectfully
request that your resources be applied to remove this material
and/or disbanding the website.
Thank you for your time and attention.

AR-NYS: A glorious dawn.
*****
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - 9/30/09