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APNM produced 6,000 copies of a new field guide, developed by the Humane Society of the United States, through a grant from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. Investigating Animal Cruelty in New Mexico, A Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers, is intended to be standard issue for law enforcement officers throughout the state and is conveniently sized to fit into officers field cases.
Mr. Eric Sakach, HSUS, demonstrates the range of gaffs and other deadly devices used in cockfighting.
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A grant from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS) paved the way for Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) to achieve four significant goals over the past year:
- provide statewide training for therapists and law enforcement;
- produce a 110-page field guide for law enforcement officers in investigating animal cruelty cases;
- purchase supplies critical to effective cruelty investigations; and
- provide funds for essential veterinary services in extreme cruelty cases.
About one year ago, APNM undertook an ambitious set of projects to help improve awareness, enforcement, and adjudication of New Mexico’s anti-cruelty statutes and to help reduce animal abuse through public education and appropriate treatment for offenders.
APNM hosted nine full-day workshops for therapists, social workers and counselors in three communities throughout the state. New Mexico now has over 90 therapists newly trained in the AniCare Approach to Assessment and Treatment of Animal Abuse Offenders, many of whom are available for referrals from the courts for counseling adults and adolescents convicted of animal cruelty. The AniCare model was developed by the Animals and Society Institute (ASI). Learn more about the model at www.animalsandsociety.org.
Accredited by several professional associations, the AniCare workshops were enthusiastically received by the therapeutic community, and feedback from participants was very positive:
“A useful tool that can be used in many aspects of therapy.”
“I really enjoyed the breakout groups and getting a chance to practice and ‘critically think’ through [the case studies].”
“Very interesting, educational and appropriate. I learned many interesting facts about animal cruelty and would like to learn more…”
In August, APNM offered seven one-day training courses to law enforcement agencies across the state. Accredited by DPS, and presented by Mr. Eric Sakach of the Humane Society of the United States, a 34-year veteran of animal cruelty investigating, the training provided an overview of anti-cruelty law, guidelines for conducting effective investigations, a review of cruelty cases ranging from typical neglect to extreme cruelty, and a discussion of important agencies, organizations and other resources.
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Asst. District Attorney Henry Valdez addresses officers at Santa Fe training about the importance of proper search warrant procedures for collecting viable evidence in cruelty cases.
Mr. Sakach discusses some of the challenges of investigating animal cruelty cases with NM State Police officers in Roswell.
Livestock inspectors join other officers and investigators from state police, DA offices, county sheriffs’ offices, local police, and animal control to attend APNM/DPS law enforcement training in Raton.
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Almost 250 law enforcement officers, including livestock inspectors and animal control officers, attended sessions in northern, central and southern New Mexico. These were invaluable in bringing state, local and county agencies together to share an important dialogue on the challenges they each encounter in the field. It is clear there is a widespread understanding of and concern for confronting animal abuse among officers, who witness first-hand the connection between animal abuse and other forms of violence, including domestic violence. However, they are often frustrated by obstacles at various levels of the current system when pursuing these cases. Bringing representatives from local district attorney’s offices to each of the training sessions provided an opportunity for discussing how agencies could coordinate their efforts and support one another, with the end result of improving how animal cruelty cases are handled from the initial report to sentencing. Officer feedback:
“…very informative in pointing to ways I can improve my investigation of animal cruelty cases.”
“I think this course should be required for all departments.”
“It was interesting to learn about how animal abuse and later criminal activity go together. Also, to see how cock fighting and dog fighting is such organized criminal activity. Thanks for the class” – Investigator with DA’s Office.
The manual used for the training was the basis of a new publication delivered in October to every law enforcement agency in the state, including state police, county sheriff’s offices, local and tribal police departments and animal control divisions, livestock inspectors, and other state and federal agencies - a total of 6,000 copies. Investigating Animal Cruelty in New Mexico, A Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers provides a review of anti-cruelty statutes, investigative techniques, examples of common and extreme cruelty cases, including hoarding and animal fighting, reference to essential local, state and national resources, as well as general care guidelines for all domestic animals.
The guides, designed and created just for law enforcement, were printed in a convenient size so that officers can keep them in their vehicles for quick reference. So far, agency response has been very positive, and some departments have already requested additional copies. Because many communities in New Mexico don’t have an animal control department or even a specialized officer, APNM anticipates that this Field Guide will be a vital resource for individual officers when they encounter cruelty cases, and will enable regional agencies to work more effectively together in addressing these cases. The Field Guide was also distributed to every district attorney’s office.
The fourth element of the program involved purchasing supplies that will likely be needed, but are not readily available or affordable for many agencies, for large-scale cruelty cases that require the removal of animals from potentially dangerous situations. Humane traps, catchpoles, cages, carriers, animal ID supplies, leashes and other items will be stored at regional locations arranged by DPS.
Finally, a portion of the grant funding, approximately $12,000, was set aside to assist law enforcement agencies with the expense of veterinary services in several cases around the state. Financial assistance was provided for veterinary forensics services, emergency veterinary care for abused or neglected animals, and humane euthanasia services. The veterinary community quickly utilized this element of the project, indicating that a significant need for such services exists in New Mexico. Animal cruelty cases requiring veterinary forensics investigations that were paid for by this portion of the grant, included dog poisoning, cat poisoning, horse neglect and other situations. Emergency veterinary services, forensics services and humane euthanasia and disposal services were provided in SW, NW and central Albuquerque, Bosque Farms, Espanola, Roswell, Taos, Tijeras and Truth or Consequences.
APNM is grateful for the tremendous opportunity this DPS grant provided to ensure crimes against animals are vigorously pursued in our New Mexican communities.
