Animal Cruelty Investigation Conference Hosted At Eastern Florida

By  //  May 7, 2015

designed to help save more animal lives

FOX 35 News Orlando

ABOVE VIDEO: This week, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals joined in partnership with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Titusville Police Department and Eastern Florida State College to train more than 150 police officers, attorneys and animal control officers on how to more effectively prevent and investigate animal cruelty and abuse cases.

This week, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) joined in partnership with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Titusville Police Department and Eastern Florida State College to train more than 150 police officers, attorneys and animal control officers on how to more effectively prevent and investigate animal cruelty and abuse cases.

This specialized conference is designed to help save more animal lives by providing experience and knowledge on how to investigate and prosecute instances of animal cruelty and abuse.

Officers convened in Melbourne this week to learn from nationally recognized animal welfare experts. The workshop is open to law enforcement, animal control officers and state attorneys.

ASPCA experts will introduce critical steps in preventing and responding to various types of animal cruelty which is prevalent throughout the state, including animal fighting and hoarding.

Attendees will also learn key components of Florida animal cruelty laws, evidence collection techniques and how to strengthen the prosecution of animal abusers.

Additionally, attendees will learn the psychology behind animal hoarding and how to prevent hoarders from relapsing post-intervention.

The expert presenters all span in specialties to include: investigations, blood sports, veterinary forensics and legal advocacy. Many of the presenters have played major roles in some of the largest dog fighting and cockfighting cases in U.S. history, assisting thousands of animals.
The expert presenters all span in specialties to include: investigations, blood sports, veterinary forensics and legal advocacy. Many of the presenters have played major roles in some of the largest dog fighting and cockfighting cases in U.S. history, assisting thousands of animals.

The expert presenters all span in specialties to include: investigations, blood sports, veterinary forensics and legal advocacy. Many of the presenters have played major roles in some of the largest dog fighting and cockfighting cases in U.S. history, assisting thousands of animals.

There are 162 students from 13 different Animal Control units, 19 different Law Enforcement agencies representing 32 cities and two states.

BCSO – EFSC PARTNERSHIP

The Brevard County Sheriff’s recently initiated an animal abuse and neglect agent in partnership with Eastern Florida State College.

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The investigator not only addresses animal abuse and neglect cases, but provides experience and training to EFSC Veterinarian Tech students in the area as well.

The training offers EFSC students a unique perspective to better prepare them for their careers.

EFSC in turn provides the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Service program care and support for the animals, also a unique opportunity for the Vet Tech students to grow and develop in their specialized field of study.

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The goal of this 16 hour training over two days is to provide law enforcement officers with professional training giving them the necessary information to properly investigate animal cruelty in the community.

Dog fighting is a severe crime, particularly due to the link between dog fighting and other violent crimes, and properly investigating and prosecuting offenders of such violence is necessary for society.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey
Sheriff Wayne Ivey

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the ASPCA and ESFC with this important endeavor,” said Sheriff Ivey.

This relationship allows us all to maintain the high standards for animal safety and care in Brevard County. My goal is to give our officers every resource we can to increase their effectiveness and make Brevard County a safe haven for animals. Having this many dedicated representatives here to train clearly demonstrates how important this mission is to the welfare and protection of our animals.” 

ABOVE VIDEO: Sheriff Wayne Ivey talks about the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Enforcement Unit’s investigation into the animal cruelty case in which Zaid Suleiman Ali, 35, was charged with Animal Cruelty, Aggravated Animal Cruelty and Killing or Aggravated Abuse of a Horse.