18 March 2014

Prosecutors and Animal Welfare Advocates Develop Principles to Combat Animal Cruelty

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), in coordination with animal welfare advocates, including the ASPCA, recently released a statement of principles to provide prosecutors and criminal justice partners with the training and resources necessary to raise awareness of the connection between animal abuse and other violent crimes.

"The key to combating violence against animals for law enforcement is to handle animal cruelty crimes just like other crimes of violence," said APA President David LaBahn. "There is a link between animal abusers and other types of interpersonal violence including child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse, and prosecutors are aggressively addressing this link." 

As a national association dedicated to supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of prosecutors in their efforts to create safer communities, ensure justice and uphold public safety, the APA (with assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, animal welfare organizations and other law enforcement officials), continues to develop training resources for prosecutors including hosting an animal abuse conference, conducting webinars and distributing the Lex Canis newsletter. 

The APA 4th National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference will take place May 5-7 in Atlanta, GA. This conference will bring together prosecutors and professionals in the criminal justice and animal welfare field. 



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