Humane Law Enforcement at MHHS

Humane Law Enforcement: Protecting Pets, Helping People

At MHHS, our Peace Officers can investigate animal cruelty, apply for search warrants and arrest warrants, and make arrests when necessary, but we strongly believe that our community’s pets are best served when we work in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. Our officers work hand-in-hand with local animal control, police departments, and sheriffs by providing animal handling, animal cruelty, and animal law expertise.

We currently have three officers on staff and have begun the process of training five more. All of our officers have other full-time responsibilities, allowing for specialization in key areas of Humane Law Enforcement.

Admitting: Many cases begin at our front door.
Although they may not be presented as such, possible cases of abuse and neglect come to our door regularly. Collection of information for every animal that comes to us is always important, but in possible cases of abuse, it can make all the difference in whether an abuser is brought to justice or never held accountable. From accurate identification of the individual presenting the animal and specifics about where the animal was found, to any clues that may have been at the site and evidence collection, no detail can be taken for granted. Intake officers must be adept at asking questions and separating fact from fiction, as they can never assume what they are being told is true.

Cruelty: We’re always on call to help.
We are always ready to mobilize when our partners in law enforcement call on us to help with cases of animal cruelty. From active physical abuse to hoarding, neglect, and abandonment, we have to be ready to handle it all. When we are called to a scene, we take a backseat to the police officers who are trained to clear and secure it, review search warrants to be certain we know our legal parameters for search and seizure, and then take the lead in evaluating, documenting and, when necessary, removing the animals.

We recognize how difficult it is for the police to prioritize animal cruelty cases among the many other crimes they investigate, and that training in Agriculture and Markets Law, where animal cruelty statutes are found, is not typically part of their training. This makes animal cruelty charges a heavy lift for any already stretched thin police officer. We are here to help lighten the load by providing assistance with paperwork and documentation, thorough forensic veterinary evaluations, behavioral evaluations, and guidance on charges under Agriculture and Markets Law. 

As the case proceeds, we follow it through the court system. We work with the assigned attorney throughout prosecution, providing feedback when requested, documentation, and even testimony in court. People often assume that the best possible outcome in the case of animal cruelty charges is conviction. We have found, however, in many cases the best outcome can be a thoughtfully written adjudication in contemplation of dismissal (ACOD). An ACOD can set limits on pet ownership and allow for follow-up visits by our officers. We know that recidivism is nearly 100% in animal hoarding cases, and that animal hoarding is typically a mental health issue, which means that a fine or jail sentence is not going to serve the person or the pets as well as continued monitoring and assistance will.