the task force approach to addressing animal problems in...

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Randall LockwoodSenior Vice President

Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty ProjectsASPCA

The Task Force Approach to Addressing Animal Problems in a Community

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Nature favors those who can work

together for a common goal…

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Why Form a Coalition?• Address an urgent situation

• Empower elements of the community

• Obtain or provide services

• More effective & efficient delivery of services

• Reduce duplication of efforts

• Pool resources

• Increase communication among groups

• Break down stereotypes

• Launch community-wide initiatives

• Increase advocacy clout

• Create long-term, permanent social change

Work Group for Community

Health & Development,

University of Kansas

ctb.ku.edu

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When is Community Collaboration Indicated?

• Problem involves multiple crimes with unconnected

investigation, enforcement and response systems

• Multiple agencies (public safety, health, social services

providers, animal services) involved

• Agencies not yet sharing information and resources

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Applications of a Task Force/

Coalition Approach

1. “Link” task Force to Address Animal Cruelty and

Interpersonal Violence

2. Animal Cruelty Task Force to Enhance Law-

Enforcement Response to Animal Cruelty in

General, or for Specific Crimes (e.g. Dogfighting)

3. Hoarding/Animal Hoarding Task Force

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Why Do We Need To Work Together?

“Symbiosis”: Two organisms live together for mutual benefit

“Synergy”: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

• Animal issues rarely occur in a vacuum

• No one agency or profession can solve it alone

• No one has adequate staff or funding

•Triage: target the highest-risk situations

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www.nationallinkcoalition.org

Click on “Resources”

Resources

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• Impossible to identify and include all: invite many from

diverse areas, start with small working group of most

committed, and build from there.

• Don’t count the people you reach: Reach the people who

count.

• Select people with leadership skills, connections,

motivation and ability to make things happen.

Steps to Organizing a Community Coalition

Step 1: Identify the Stakeholders

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Who Could Be Included?

Animal ServicesAnimal Welfare

- Humane Society

- SPCA

- Non-sheltered

- Breed rescues

- Kennels

Animal Control

- City

- County

Veterinary

- Veterinarians

- Vet techs

- Public Health

Social ServicesChildren

- CPS

- Child Welfare

- Children’s hospitals

- Teachers

- Child care providers

Domestic Violence

- Women’s shelters

- Advocacy groups

- OB/GYNs

Elders

- APS

- Senior services centers

- Homemaker services

Criminal JusticeLaw Enforcement

- Police/Sheriff (gang

unit, juvenile justice,

victim services)

- Fire Dept.: arson

- Probation/Parole

Courts

- Prosecutors

- Forensic interviewers

- Judges

- Family court

- Children’s court

- CASA

- Guardians ad litem



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OtherClergy

- Faith-based aid groups

- Interested clergy

Military family services

Mental Health professionals

- Assessment and treatment providers

Local government officials

News media

Businesses and funders

Others??? (USE YOUR IMAGINATION…)

Existing coalitions

- DV task force

- Children’s Justice Task Force

- Court improvement committee

- Fatality review boards

- Family support centers

- Ethnic organizations

- Crimestoppers

- Neighborhood Watch

- Big Brothers/Sisters



Who Could Be Included?

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Step 2: Logistics

Where to Meet- Easily accessible

- Conference room

- AV-enabled

- Speakerphone

- Move it around:

Show & Tell!

When to Meet- Most valuable

commodity today: TIME!

- Monthly at first

- Bimonthly or quarterly

once organized

- Find convenient time:

lunch (brown-bag, pizza),

breakfast, after-work

- Keep consistent and

get on calendars early

Costs- Minimal

- Shared by members

- In-kind support

- Donations from

sponsors

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Step 3: Define the Problem: Scanning

• Introduce the issue

• Introduce participants

• Identify what could be gained by collaboration

• Identify how each relates to problem, cases they see, incidents not

adequately resolved

• Brainstorm possible responses

• Avoid or explain disciplinary jargon

• Outside facilitator may be helpful

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Step 4: Understand the Problem: Analysis

• Analyze brainstormed ideas

• Review current systems how cases are handled

• Gather detailed information from agencies involved

• Identify goals, objectives, metrics

• Identify challenges and solutions

• Has this been tried elsewhere? (Link to other coalitions)

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Collaborations- MOU: referrals,

assessments,

investigations, foster

care

- Crisis line/intake

forms to include

animals

- Resource

directories of

agencies by field

- Database of pet-

friendly housing

Links to Professions- Open lines of

communication (vets,

social work, police, DAs,

judges, etc.)

- Behavioral health,

counselors, treatment

providers

- Animal-assisted therapy

groups

Cross-Training- In-services

- Continuing Education

- State associations

- Pre-professional

training (SSWs, police

academies)

- Digests of animal,

child, elder, & DV laws

- Speaker’s Bureau


Step 5: Plan the Response

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Step 6: Sustainability

• Flexibility: change strategy and direction as needs evolve

• Strategic planning

• Succession planning

• Share successes and challenges with other coalitions

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Step 7: Assessment & Evaluation

When to Assess- Initially: 3-6

months

- Detailed: 6-12

months

- Ongoing

Where to Assess- ID how participant

agencies have been

impacted

What to Assess- Changes in statistics

(complaints, response

times, referrals)

- Trainings, audiences

- Empirical data and

anecdotes

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Statutory remedies• State law enabling cross-reporting

• State law mandating cross reporting

• (Limited or absolute immunity from civil/criminal liability)

Codes of Ethics remedies• Confidentiality can be breached if harm to self or others is risk (NASW)

• Explicit permission (AVMA, AAHA, CVMA, RNZVMA)

Administrative remedies• OK to report to legitimate law enforcement when others are at risk

• Include humane society/animal control in MDTs

• OK to release info if family signs release form

• Report as private citizen

Challenges and Solutions

CONFIDENTIALITY

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Fear of dilution of mission

Fear of siphoning off financial

support

Differing languages and levels of

professionalism and authority

Philosophical differences (e.g.,

prevention vs. prosecution)

CHALLENGES WORK-AROUNDS

All part of bigger picture

No one has enough $$$;

$$$ available for innovative solutions

Respect each other’s strengths

Recognize need for inclusiveness

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Who has time these days?

Social services not trained or

sensitized to animal issues

No $$$

Animal welfare marginalized


Make time for what’s important; find a

coordinator

Promote safety for them and clients;

Add Link to SSW curricula

Community foundations; $ for capacity

building, leadership development,

program sustainability, partnerships

Portray as human welfare issue;

first responders

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Sector silos: compartmentalization

(social services)

No desire for free-standing

infrastructure


Draw in people with holistic

perspective

Fiscal sponsorship

Sector silos: stratification (academia

vs. practitioners)

Draw in people with holistic

perspective

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Animal Hoarding

Task Forces and

Coalitions

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The Task Force Approach to

Hoarding

• Evaluate threat/risk to human and animal health and safety

• Determine legal options and available services

• Develop a case plan

• Coordinate implementation of plan

• Evaluate outcomes

• Continue long-term monitoring

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The Task Force Approach to Hoarding:

Who should be involved?

• Animal Care and Control

• Humane Law Enforcement/ Code Enforcement

• Animal Sheltering Groups- SPCA’s, humane societies

• Regular Law Enforcement/ District Attorney

• Mental Health

• Social Services – Adult Protective Services

• Fire Department

• Housing Authority

• Local veterinarians and VMA

• ? Recovering hoarder ?

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A New ApproachCruelty Intervention Advocacy

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Hoarding Intervention

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Welfare Improvement

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For Further Information

Tufts Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding.html

ASPCApro Fighting Cruelty

http://www.aspcapro.org/fighting-animal-

cruelty.php

ASPCA

http://www.aspca.org/cruelty


http://www.aspcapro.org/fighting-animal-cruelty.php

http://www.aspca.org/cruelty

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Available at

Tufts Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium



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Available at sheltervet.org and

aspcapro.org/asv

This document helps

educate the Court and

others to what is considered

a reasonable standard of

care by a shelter or rescue

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Partial List of Animal Hoarding Coalitions/Task Forces

Gaithersburg, MD

Montgomery County, MD

Baltimore County, MD

Fairfax County, VA

Alexandria, VA

New York City, NY

Lee County, FL

Ft. Wayne, IN

Medina County, OH

Maricopa County, AZ

If you are involved with an Animal Hoarding Coalition or Task Force that is

not listed, please send an email to Phil Arkow at [email protected]

to update our list

There are dozens of state and local hoarding task forces and coalitions.

The following are known to have specific resources related to animal

hoarding:

mailto:[email protected]

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The Prairie Mountain Interagency Hoarding Coalition was formed in

2010 in the wake of several high-profile fatalities caused by fires in

hoarding residences.

The coalition includes four key groups:

• first responders (police, fire, ambulance)

• secondary responders (animal welfare officials, veterinarians, code

enforcement, public health, fire prevention, child welfare)

• healthcare providers (ER staff, psychologists, crisis services, general

practitioners)

• recovery and prevention resources (relatives, friends, neighbors, home

care aides, nonprofits, landlords).

Prairie Mountain Interagency Hoarding Coalition

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Animal Cruelty Task

Forces and Coalitions

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The arrest of Kit Burns (1868)

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ASPCA law enforcement force - 1905

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Animal Precinct ran for 100 episodes from June 2001 to February 2008

It was copied by:

Animal Cops: Detroit (Detroit, Michigan)

Animal Cops: Houston (Houston, Texas)

Miami Animal Police (Miami-Dade, Florida)

Animal Cops: San Francisco (San Francisco, California)

Animal Cops: Phoenix (Phoenix, Arizona)

Animal Cops: South Africa (Cape of Good Hope, South Africa)

Animal Cops: Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Animal Cops: Miami (also Miami-Dade, Florida)

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NYPD Commissioner Bratton announces the NYPD-ASPCA

partnership in 2014

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New NYPD Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill with Charlotte, an

approximately 2-year-old, female Maltese-Poodle mix who was found

severely injured and abandoned inside a garbage can in the Bronx in

December 2016

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Since the ASPCA turned over investigation of animal cruelty cases to the

NYPD in 2014, there have been 27,611 reports to the city’s 311 call center.

These have resulted in 228 summonses, 445 arrests, and over 2,000

animals assisted.

65 of these cases have also involved domestic violence as well. Of these 65

cases:

• 54 (83%) led to the arrest of a suspect

• 5 (8%) have been closed

• 3 (4.5%) are still pending, awaiting apprehension of the suspect

• 3 (4.5%) are still pending

A Focus on Animal Cruelty and IPV

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65 Animal Cruelty & Domestic Violence Cases

5483%

58%

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4.5%

Case Dispositions

Arrest Closed Unapprehended Active

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19%

17%

31%

27%

6%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Manhattan Bronx Brooklyn Queens Staten Island

Percentage of Cases by Borough

Total Cruelty Cases Domestic Violence Cases Population

19%

31%

24%

18%

8%

15%

28%

26%

20%

11%

19%

17%

31%

27%

6%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

Manhattan Bronx Brooklyn Queens Staten Island

Percentage of Cases by Borough

Total Cruelty Cases Domestic Violence Cases Population

Human Population, Animal Cruelty Cases, Domestic

Violence Cases

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In the majority of cases (68%), the suspect is an intimate partner of the

complainant. In 26% of cases another family member is suspected of the

animal abuse, while in 6% the relationship is unknown.

91% of the defendants are men; their average age is 32. Of the intimate

partners, 57% are boyfriends, 22% are spouses, 3% are fiancés, 3% are ex-

boyfriends, and 16% involved the couple.

The study also examined the nature of the animals involved and their

injuries. The victims were 56 dogs, 21 cats, and one hamster. Smaller and

younger dogs are more vulnerable in domestic violence disputes. 25 of the

78 animals involved, and a majority of the cats, were deceased. Half of the

animals that sustained skull fractures had been thrown to the ground or

against a wall

A Focus on Animal Cruelty and IPV

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Honey | Background

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Honey | Criminal Charges

Robbery

Grand Larceny

Criminal Mischief

Endangering the Welfare of a

Child

Felony Animal Cruelty

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•Sharing information

•Sharing resources

•Collaboration in prosecutions

•Enhanced safety for personnel

Police

Services

Humane

Society

Veterinary

Medicine

The former Calgary model The new Calgary model

Calgary: Breaking down the Silos

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Margaret Doyle, a forensic veterinarian, and Brad Nichols, Senior Manager for

Animal Cruelty Investigations at the Calgary Humane Society, Working with

Detective Shawna Baldwin of Calgary Police Services, identified four

communication gaps that were separating their areas of expertise:

1. Lack of Information Sharing: Police, the humane society, and

veterinarians now have access to each other’s records and databases which

allows peace officers to be better prepared. Records such as animal license

registries, veterinary files, and prohibition orders give each group additional

critical information.

2. Lack of Resource Sharing: The humane society now has access to police

DNA laboratories, crime scene experts, and back-up security. Police now

have access to the shelter’s resources and animal handling and welfare

expertise. Meanwhile, other community agencies, such as housing

authorities, can be brought in as needed to share their information.


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3. Lack of Collaboration when Filing Charges: Prosecutors can now draw

on the expertise of the police, humane society and veterinary forensics in

determining what crimes to include in the charges, and recommendations for

probation conditions.

4. Officer Safety Issues: Collaboration helps peace officers understand how

dangerous animal cruelty cases can be to their safety, both from the animals

and from irate owners and animal hoarders, and to respond accordingly


The results of this collaboration have been significant, they said. Prosecutions

are now more likely to be “front-loaded”: better prepared with more quality

evidence. 83% of cases have resulted in convictions. Many defendants have

opted to plead guilty rather than go to court. More charges have been filed

and officers are safer.

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Partial List of General Anti-Cruelty or “Link Coalitions

AZ: Phoenix, Prescott, Tucson

CA: Los Angeles City, Los Angeles

County, San Bernadino, Siskayou County

CO: Denver

CT: Hartford

FL: Sarasota

GA: Dekalb County

IL: Chicago, Springfield

IA: Ames

KS: Leavenworth, Witchita

LA: Lake Charles

ME: York County

MD: Baltimore City, Baltimore County

MA: Belmont, Berkshire County, Boston,

Franklin County, Nantucket

MN: Minneapolis/St. Paul

MO: Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis

NH: Manchester

NJ: Hackensack

NM: Albuquerque, Las Cruces

NY: Albany, Buffalo, Elizabethtown,

NYC, Syracuse

OH: Columbus

OK: Oklahoma City

OR: Hillsborough, Klamath Falls

TX: Austin, San Antonio

VT: Jacksonville

VA: Loudon County, Richmond

WI: Madison, Milwaukee

If you are involved with a Link or Anti-Cruelty Coalition or Task Force that is

not listed, please send an email to Phil Arkow at [email protected]

to update our list

mailto:[email protected]

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Randall Lockwood, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President

Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects

email: [email protected]

phone 571 225-3463

www.ASPCApro.org

the task force approach to addressing animal problems in...

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