Humane Law Enforcement From Initial Report to Final Appeal

Overview

When one hears the term “humane law enforcement,” often the first thoughts that come to mind are of the overdramatized, media-hyped sagas of the animal cops seen on reality television. While the stories may be superficially true, what is most often not acknowledged are the mundane but vital intricacies of the profession, along with the constant emotional roller-coaster ride stemming from days spent mired in what can often be some of the most egregious acts of abuse humans can inflict. The field of animal cruelty investigation is nebulous and confusing, due in large part to little understood legalities and regulations that fluctuate between states and counties, boroughs and municipalities (Figure 3.1]. Laws are little understood by both enforcement officers and lawyers, and judges are often so unfamiliar with them that cases can be dismissed out of ignorance. This can result in not only lack of justice but continuation of the disheartening spiral of negative emotions a humane law enforcement (HLE) officer can feel. Investigating crimes against animals can seem bleak and hopeless, especially when one considers the fate of the animal victims; often they are left to decline physically and mentally in a shelter for months, if not years, while the case drags on, or forced to heal from wounds in the frenetic, noisy setting of a busy veterinary facility or shelter hospital with little individual attention.

However, being on the front lines fighting animal abuse can be in equal measure undeniably rewarding. The satisfaction that comes from removing an animal from a harmful or neglectful situation can mitigate the sadness. And an airtight, efficient case that results in a suitable outcome serves as an incentive to continue the fight. Knowing that the investigation was conducted properly, that all necessary facts were gathered, and that the case was succinct and well prepared can ease the uncertainty of the courtroom appearance. While not always possible, ensuring a positive outcome for an animal can help future cases in that they often build upon themselves and serve as examples for future cases.

This chapter is written in the form of a testimonial rather than a how-to guide. Plenty of sources are already in existence which detail step-by-step animal cruelty forensic techniques (Sinclair et al., 2009; Merck, 2007) and explain the various forms of animal abuse and neglect, including other chapters in this book. This chapter will mention some useful methodologies and some of the types of cases which may be encountered and will also detail aspects of HLE that are seldom described in print, including procedures that may be utilized during the investigative process, the ambiguous nature of the profession and the lack of respect it often garners, and the emotional toll this line of work exacts.

Figure 3.1 Pennsylvania Humane Law Enforcement officer badge.