Albany County District Attorney David Soares has announced the formation of an Animal Abuse Taskforce.
Soares says the taskforce will utilize a multi-agency response to animal abuse, neglect, and hoarding cases, as well as combine law enforcement prevention efforts and public education outreach. Taskforce members will include local veterinarians, law enforcement officers, delegates from the State Attorney General’s Office, and members of animal rescue shelters. Soares encourages anyone who suspects or witnesses animal abuse or neglect, to report it to your local law enforcement agency.
Here is the press release issued by the Albany County D.A.'s office:
ALBANY, NY – District Attorney P. David Soares announced today the formation of an Animal Abuse Taskforce in front of the Albany County Judicial Center this morning.
The overall mission of the taskforce is to utilize a multi-agency response to animal abuse, neglect, and hoarding cases, as well as combine law enforcement prevention efforts and public education outreach. DA Soares has designated a felony level Assistant District Attorney from the Special Victims Unit to oversee all animal related crimes. In addition to prosecuting these crimes in the courtroom, prosecutors from the office will also play an important role on the taskforce.
“The District Attorney’s Office is tasked with prosecuting offenders who violate the law, and in cases of animal abuse or hoarding, it is vital to hold offenders accountable while also ensuring these crimes are never repeated,” said DA David Soares. “By forming this taskforce it is our goal to make sure all responders are employing best practices in Albany County, prioritizing prevention strategies in every community, and educating the public about what they can do to help.”
Prosecutors will collaborate with medical and rescue professionals to hold trainings for veterinarians, pet store operators, groomers, and anyone else who may be the “eyes and ears” in the pet and animal community. The taskforce will also seek to address issues that arise in the rural population, such as livestock and farm animals.
Taskforce members will include local veterinarians, law enforcement officers, delegates from the New York State Attorney General’s Office, members of animal rescue shelters such as the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and representatives from Cornell Cooperative Extension to aid in the rural components of the taskforce goals.
See Something? Say Something!
If you suspect animal abuse or neglect, you can report to your local law enforcement agency, call the Mohawk & Hudson Humane Society at (518) 434-8128, or visit their website mohawkhumanesociety.org
