Item 6 - Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit Presentation — original pdf

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Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit Detective Christian Esquivel Detective Robert Escamilla Specialist Alan Schwettmann Introduction • Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit is currently comprised of 2 Detectives and 1 Civilian Cruelty Specialist. • Detective Christian Esquivel • Detective Robert Escamilla • Specialist Alan Schwettmann within the City. Texas 78702, 512-974-2000. • The Animal Cruelty Unit was created in 2002 to better serve the citizens of Austin and the animals that exist • The Animal Cruelty Unit is currently located at the AAC-Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop, Austin, APD Community Police Academy Agenda • The Primary Mission of the Animal Cruelty Unit is to investigate allegations and reports of cruelty, neglect, and illegal exploitation of domestic, feral, and wild animals within the jurisdictional boundaries of Austin. • To establish rapport and bridge the gap with our community; to create a safe, and comfortable environment in which a communication interaction can take place. • Enforce state and local laws, prepare Animal Cruelty and Neglect cases and work with the local County/District Attorney’s office on animal cases. APD Community Police Academy Animal Cruelty vs. Animal Control Animal Cruelty • Under the Austin PD • Made up of 2 police detectives and 1 civilian cruelty specialist • File criminal warrants (all levels) • Can file for search/seizure warrants Animal Control • Under Health & Human Services • Made up of 20 civilian animal control officers • Can only issue Class C citations • File civil cases (dangerous/vicious dog) • Handle loose dogs, bite cases, and rabies control APD Community Police Academy Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit Yearly Statistics • ~400 cases of animal cruelty investigated • ~50 warrants filed • Over 100 citations issued • ~6 seizure warrants filed with 15+ animals removed by court order _______________________________________ Statistical facts • Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) estimates that nearly 1 million animals a year are abused or killed in connection with domestic violence. People who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against domestic partners, children and others. • Most common victims according to HSUS -64.5 % (involved dogs) -18 % (involved cats) -25 % (involved other animals) APD Community Police Academy Texas Penal Code Sec. 42.09 Cruelty to Livestock Animals Sec. 42.092 Cruelty to Non Livestock Animals Sec. 42.10 Dog Fighting Sec. 42.105 Cock Fighting Sec. 21.09 Bestiality (just added for 2018!) Health and Safety Code Sec. 822.005 Attack by Dog Austin City Code Chapter 3-2 Restrictions on Animals Chapter 3-3 Rabies Prevention Legislative Trends 50 states currently have felony provisions within their animal cruelty laws. 2018 Animal Legal Defense Fund animal protection laws rankings. Texas is #11. APD Community Police Academy Penal Code Sec. 42.092 CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS In this section: •ABANDON includes abandoning an animal in the person’s custody without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person. •ANIMAL means a domesticated living creature, including any stray or feral cat or dog, and a wild living creature previously captured. The term does NOT include an uncaptured wild living creature or a livestock animal. •CRUEL MANNER includes a manner that causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering. •CUSTODY includes responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of an animal subject to the person’s care and control, regardless of ownership of the animal. •NECESSARY FOOD, WATER, CARE, OR SHELTER includes food, water, care, or shelter provided to the extent required to maintain the animal in a state of good health. •TORTURE includes any act that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering. APD Community Police Academy PENAL CODE 42.092 CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: •tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal (3rd DEGREE FELONY) •without the owner’s effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal (3rd DEGREE FELONY) •fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person’s custody (MISD A) •abandons unreasonably an animal in the person’s custody (MISD A) •transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner (MISD A) •without the owner’s effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal (MISD A) •causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog (STATE JAIL FELONY) •uses a live animal as a lure in a dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack (STATE JAIL FELONY) •seriously overworks an animal. (MISD A) ***Felonies are enhanceable with 1 prior conviction. Misdemeanors with 2 prior convictions.*** APD Community Police Academy ATTACK BY DOG A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the person: •with criminal negligence…fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner's real property …that causes serious bodily injury…or death to the other person (3rd degree Felony if SBI, 2nd degree Felony if death) APD Community Police Academy Common City Ordinances We Enforce (citations) •Tethering •Animals left in hot vehicles •Clean water •Shelter •Proper Care •Rabies Vaccinations APD Community Police Academy Our Success Stories WARNING-The material that you are about to see is graphic, viewer discretion is advised. APD Community Police Academy Meet “Maxwell” Maxwell was being fostered for a local rescue group and was found abandoned in a cage in a hotel room. APD Community Police Academy Maxwell’s Recovery Maxwell had to have an emergency blood transfusion to survive. He spent many months slowly recovering and gaining weight. He went from 31lbs to 70lbs. APD Community Police Academy Meet “Maddie” Maddie is a Doberman that was just left in the backyard for over 6 months while her mange and health got worse and worse. She developed an eye infection in both eyes and went temporarily blind. APD Community Police Academy Maddie Maddie was eventually owner surrendered and made a full recovery after many months of treatment. Felony Cruelty charges were filed. APD Community Police Academy Meet “Sophie” Sophie was abandoned in a cage on the side of the road and left for dead. Officers believed that Sophie was dead until they saw her barely breathing. She only weighed 9lbs. APD Community Police Academy Sophie She is now fully recovered and weighs in at a very healthy 24lbs. Her owners were never found. APD Community Police Academy Pennsylvania Ponies 3 miniature ponies were seized from the owner in 2013. All were malnourished and not receiving enough food. The ponies were actually eating rocks in the yard. APD Community Police Academy Pennsylvania Ponies APD Community Police Academy Ginger the cat Ginger was thrown off a 3rd floor apartment balcony and lived. Owner charged with 3rd Degree Felony. APD Community Police Academy Abandonments (this is Zeus) Zeus was found tied up just as photo depicts. APD Community Police Academy Abandonments (cont’d) Zeus was taken to shelter and recognized by staff as just having been there with owners attempting to surrender him. APD Community Police Academy Animal Hoarders They tend to acquire a large number of animals and are unable to properly care for them all. APD Community Police Academy Animal Hoarders Conditions inside these homes are usually horrendous. APD Community Police Academy Animal Hoarders APD Community Police Academy Animal Hoarders Most animals are stressed and sick and not receiving proper care. APD Community Police Academy How can I help?? •Call 911 if an emergency •Call 311 •Report it thru the APD mobile app •Take photos/video if possible •DO NOT attempt to remove any animals. APD Community Police Academy Any Questions… APD Community Police Academy Closing Thoughts Animal Cruelty is a big problem Animal cruelty can indicate other illegal activity, domestic abuse, and mental illness. Report animal cruelty, abuse or neglect but be sensible and do not place yourself in harms way. Many of us adore our beloved pets and would never want to inflict any harm on them. YOU can be the difference in the lives of people and animals. APD Community Police Academy