CMACOA Members

Please read the NACA statement below and reply to them with any input.  Animal Advocates have benefitted many of our cases and helped us get more and stronger convictions in cruelty cases.  They are speaking negatively about the program without even asking CT for our opinion on the matter.  Our voices need to be heard as this can affect other states trying to pass laws similar to Desmond's Law.

NACA Statement on the Potential for Expansion of Courtroom Animal Advocates Program (CAAP) Laws

Dear Members,

NACA wants to thank you for continuing to go above and beyond every day for the animals and people in your communities. You spoke and we listened, we are taking this opportunity to provide our members a first look at our newest position statement, set to release by the end of the week. At our very core, NACA envisions a world in which all animal care and control professionals are respected as essential public servants and receive consistent support, resources and training allowing them to effectively and compassionately achieve the highest quality of life for the animals and citizens in the community they serve. This position statement aligns with the mission, vision, and values of NACA that were established over 44 years ago.

In addition to a first look at the statement below, we are also always seeking input and suggestions from our members on helping us to identify key challenges, barriers, and suggested solutions related to the successful investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases. We have outlined four below and look forward to hearing more from you.

Background 

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) is described as “laws that allow legal practitioners - supervised law students or volunteer lawyers - to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases. Volunteers appear in court and assist the judge by drafting briefs, conducting research, gathering information from veterinarians, animal control officers, and law enforcement officials, and making recommendations on behalf of the animal victim’s interest.”

These laws are based on Desmond’s Law, passed in Connecticut in October 2016, which allows legal advocates to testify on behalf of animal victims in cruelty and neglect cases. The impacts of these laws have yet to be studied and there is no evidence to show the rates of animal crimes have dropped in Connecticut since the law was enacted in 2016. 

There is a likelihood that several CAAP laws will be introduced in multiple states this coming year. These laws have the potential to negatively impact animal control agencies and officers.

Animal Control Officers have historically served as advocates for animals in cruelty and neglect cases and we are concerned these laws have a real potential to further marginalize and silence the voices and experiences of the animal control officers themselves. We believe that adding an external advocate to already-complex cases is likely to lead to a divergence of opinions on what is ‘best’ for the animal victim. It is not clear how the varying opinions of the investigating officer, the prosecutor, and the court-appointed advocate would be weighted. 

NACA’s Recommendation 

Given the potential negative consequences of CAAP bills, as well as the fact that there is no data to show that CAAP laws achieve their stated purpose, we recommend these laws are carefully studied to determine the impact on animal victims of cruelty and neglect and on the overall welfare of animals. We do not recommend the introduction or adoption of new CAAP legislation at this time, due to this lack of information. 

Further, we recommend animal control officers throughout the U.S. are afforded ongoing opportunities to provide meaningful feedback on any bills that will impact animal cruelty and neglect cases in their state. 

Animal Control Officers’ Expertise and Experience Should Drive Policy Change

Animal control agencies consistently identify several key challenges related to the successful investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases. These include:

1. a critical lack of human and financial resources to adequately investigate and prosecute; and
2. a disconnect between animal control officers and the rest of the justice system; and
3. a lack of urgency that often results in months to years-long wait for animals in shelter kennels waiting for cases to be heard; and
4. a confusing and outdated state and local law when it comes to animal cruelty and neglect. 

We ask policymakers to engage with animal control professionals to better understand the issues they face and to create laws and policies to address them. 

With gratitude,

Jerrica Owen, CAWA | Executive Director

National Animal Care & Control Association

September, 2016

Fred Acker gets 1 Year for Animal Cruelty

February, 2016

32 Horses Seized in East Hampton, CT

November 2012

California Animal Control Officer Slain at Foreclosed Home

http://www.officer.com/news/10835402/calif-animal-control-officer-slain-at-foreclosed-home

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