Clark County, Washington Selected for Animal Cruelty Response Program

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VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Animal Legal Defense Fund announced its selection of Clark County , Washington to launch the Collaborative Response Project, a year-long intensive partnership to address animal cruelty cases in the county. The project will train and support the agencies and experts whose participation is critical to effectively respond to animal cruelty and neglect - including law enforcement and the state's attorneys. As part of these priorities, the project will support the Humane Society for Southwest Washington's efforts in providing safety net services to the community with the goal of keeping companion animals in homes and circumventing animal neglect.

Clark Cou nty encompasses 628 square miles of land and includes rural, suburban and urban populations. Multiple animal control and law enforcement agencies cover different municipalities within the county, making the need for collaboration and cooperative response to cases critical. In 2023 alone, Clark County Animal Control received a total of 1,081 calls involving animal cruelty that had to be evaluated.

The chosen 2024 Collaborative Response Project team will receive:

• Tools for building a network of local experts to respond to reports of animal cruelty, with a focus on veterinary support.

• One year of funding for forensic veterinary services in animal cases.

• Hands on training for veterinarians, law enforcement, and prosecutors.

• Expert individual case consultations.

• A strong, lasting foundation of processes and materials to continue successful investigations moving forward.

Crimes against animals can be challenging to prosecute - not only can the victims not testify to their treatment, but animals are unique, living evidence that many law enforcement agencies and prosecutors do not regularly handle. The Collaborative Response Project will create partnerships between veterinarians, law enforcement, and prosecutors in Clark County and provide training and resources for veterinary forensics and case investigation. The program also includes trainings in alternative methods in obtaining legal compliance from the public through education, monitoring, and access to resources when appropriate.

"Animal cruelty cases are complex and require expertise outside of law enforcement alone to ensure crimes are taken seriously and properly prosecuted," says Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager Linda Fielder. "The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering the Collaborative Response Project in service of protecting animals by bringing together multiple stakeholders in Clark County from law enforcement to veterinarians to collectively address animal crimes in the community."

"We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our animal welfare partners to strengthen the safety and well-being of pets in our community," says HSSW Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Megan Dennis. "This project represents a pivotal step forward as we unite to develop training, expand critical resources, and enhance the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases throughout Clark County."

Animal crimes proliferate alongside domestic violence, neglect of children, gang activity, and mental illness. A proactive and comprehensive response to animal neglect and abuse is foundational to building or rebuilding healthy communities and restoring public trust and goodwill. As in so many other areas of policing, collaborative relationships and community partnerships are filling gaps and offering solutions that result in positive outcomes for communities and enforcement agencies.

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