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| Maryland: Animal Control Removes 4 Horses, 5 Ponies, 3 Goats |
You may think of them as "dogcatchers," but this antiquated term fails to capture the critical — often dangerous — work performed by animal enforcement officers. Now considered "Humane Law Enforcement," these officers have broadened their skills to include all phases of investigation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
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| Kimberly Kelly with Baltimore City Animal Control removes a pit bull pup from 9 S. Regester St. -Baltimore Examiner & Washington Examiner (ALGERINA PERNA / Baltimore Sun) |
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| Maryland: Police Looking For Owners Who Left Injured Dogs To Die |
Responding to such calls requires both compassion and patience, and actions taken by officers can range from educating owners on responsible pet ownership to launching full-scale investigations that result in criminal charges.
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| Maryland: Some of Ruth Knueven's 488 cats — 222 of them dead, and most of the others so wild and sick that they had to be euthanized |
This difficult work takes on heightened importance when one considers the strong link between those who abuse or neglect animals and those who engage in violent criminal acts against people.
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| Maryland: Robert Baugher and Christine Baugher charged with animal cruelty after emaciated horses with overgrown hooves found |
According to one study, 71 percent of women entering shelters reported that their abuser also abused the family pet. Other studies report that the threat of harm to a pet was a primary reason for remaining in an abusive relationship. The individuals who perpetrate these crimes also typically have extensive criminal histories; another study found that convicted abusers averaged at least four other convictions ranging from violent felonies to narcotics distribution.
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| Maryland: Cat shot and killed with bow and arrow |
A recent case illustrates this connection: An offender faced charges for both assaulting his girlfriend and for felony animal cruelty. The assault could not be proved because the victim did not testify, likely out of justified fear. The offender, however, had also placed his girlfriend's dog in the oven and turned it to broil periodically during the alleged assault.
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| Maryland: Puppy dies after brutal pit bull attack |
An animal enforcement officer collected the tissue samples from the oven, removed and photographed the dog, and arranged through a partner humane organization to run tests. In the face of such strong evidence, the offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.
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| Maryland: Former Raven Terrence Cody Sentenced To 9 Months In Animal Cruelty Case |
As in the case above, the crimes encountered are often of a horrific nature and, like other members of law enforcement, our officers see things they cannot un-see. But in protecting the voiceless, they play a key role in safeguarding some of our most vulnerable citizens, citizens who while they can speak, may be too afraid to do so.
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| Maryland: Katherine Ting Tiong Charged with Animal Cruelty for Hoarding 66 Dogs |
Extraordinary dedication is inherent in the job, a fact highlighted this past winter when our city faced a historic blizzard. Along with our partners at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) who remained at the shelter for the duration of the storm to ensure the safety of the animals in their care, animal enforcement officers volunteered to live at the shelter so that the moment a response was possible, they were ready to move on abuse and neglect calls.
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| City euthanizes pitbull in Greektown attack of elderly woman |
To say the officers take their work home with them is both understatement and reality as many officers bond with a pet that either they or a colleague personally rescued.
Pets like the Yorkshire terrier with a severe eye injury whose owners failed to provide veterinary care, now renamed "One-eyed Jack"; or Trooper, a pit-mix found emaciated in a basement closet; and Leila, a cat found abandoned at the shelter door, were all adopted by staff.
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| Dog attacks, eats other dog in Baltimore |
Such stories, however heartening, reveal the abuse and neglect that occurs in our city and, sadly, many animals don't survive their injuries. Clearly Animal Control and other law enforcement cannot fight abuse alone. It requires buy-in from the community and the assistance of partners, including the City Council, which banned the possession of dog fighting paraphernalia in a legislative achievement last year. Immediately lauded across the region, the move was replicated by the state legislature this past session, making such possession a crime everywhere in Maryland.
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| Baltimore dog owner blames city for pet's death; Residents question Animal Control's inaction over pit bull |
The importance of protecting animals should not be underestimated. When Humane Law Enforcement takes aim at those who abuse, neglect or make blood sport of defenseless creatures, their efforts impact other crimes that tear at our communities. That can only serve to strengthen our neighborhoods and it certainly makes our streets safer.
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| Maryland: John Nelson Price, Charged with Animal Cruelty; Video Shows Him Shooting Horse |
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