Andrea Rosebrock 
“Los Angeles has become a national model for its stepped-up enforcement of animal cruelty laws, animal welfare experts said.” The biggest reason for this is that they not only recognize the link between animal abuse and other crimes such as child abuse, domestic abuse and other violence, they formed a task force do actually do something about it.
The LAPD has five officers and a detective trained and devoted to investigating animal abuse and neglect cases and their DA’s office recently began training a group persecutors to handle these types of cases and to get tougher sentences for repeat offenders.
The number of cases that the LA district attorney’s office has filed has almost double in the past 12 months. They are taking this seriously, as they and as everyone should.
The efforts by L.A. authorities and others throughout the country have been propelled by a growing public disgust for such abuse and mounting evidence of a link between animal cruelty and other types of crime. (LA Times)
“As a society, we’re just less tolerant of unnecessary and unjustified cruelty to animals,” said Dale Bartlett, deputy manager of the animal cruelty and fighting campaign at the Humane Society of the United States.
The Los Angeles City Council created the Animal Cruelty Task Force in 2005, following a proposal by Councilman Tony Cardenas. In backing the measure, LAPD officials cited studies finding that animal abusers were often involved in other crimes such as drug trafficking, child abuse and domestic violence.
This is something that other major cities need to emulate and there is no reason why it cannot be done!
It has long been known and recognized the link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. Whenever our judicial system hands down another “slap on the wrist” sentence for animal abusers, they are sending a strong message to them and to everyone that they don’t get it.
Isn’t it past time for our judicial system and our lawmakers to start taking animal abuse seriously? It’s time to stand up and speak out for those without the voice to speak for themselves! It’s time to demand justice for the innocent victims and for the future victims. If LA can do it, why can’t other cities?
People, officers and our legal system have got to stop looking at animal abuse with an “it’s just a dog” or “it’s just an animal” kind of philosophy. People who abuse and neglect animal needs to see that it is a crime and they will be arrested, prosecuted and sentenced, seriously sentenced for their crime. Out system of law and order needs to recognize and accept that animal abusers are just one small step away from abusing people. Animal abuse in itself is horrific enough and even if they don’t care about the animals, what about the next victims?
“None of the people we arrest think they could go to prison for hurting a dog or a cat,” LAPD Det. Susan Brumagin, a member of the Animal Cruelty Task Force said. “They don’t show remorse. . . . They’re more shocked and surprised.”
As Deputy Dist. Atty. Deborah Knaan, a former manager in the city’s Department of Animal Services who oversees the animal abuse cases in LA says, “They cannot talk. They cannot get away. . . . They’re totally vulnerable,” she said. “It’s our huge obligation to them to take care of them.”
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In reading this it sadens me to see how far HUMANS will go to harm an innocent animal.
Animal Cops which is in California as well as New York, Detroit and Miami only to mention a few are credited for being thorough in their investigations of ANIMAL CRUELTY.
I commend them for their efforts as well as arresting the POS that abuse these poor creatures!
THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! THESE ANIMALS WHERE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH TO TORTURE, MAME OR BE USED FOR EXPERIMENTS!
Hi Group and Marcy lets hope this is one more way to put a stop to animal cruelty I for onr think its a great ideal that is long over due way to go Califorina …..jeffrey
Jeffrey, now if other places just follow this wonderful example!
Well, it’s about d*** time!
That is is, Susan, that it is!
More people need to speak up for the animals. They were not put on this earth for our amusement or to do as we want with them. No creature deserves to be tormented. Thank you, California, for speaking up. Hope the other 49 will follow!
Yes, thank you LA and let’s hope some others see and follow.
D.
Wow! Now that makes me a bit prouder to be a Californian! LA is a mere 5-6 hours South of our beautiful Sierra’s, which makes me believe that goodness will trickle up this way. Way To GO LA!!!! That is a most beautiful accomplishment. Finally to realize these abusers can and do abuse others besides our beloved animals. It’s about time. Listen and take hede other states. This is what needs to be done in every single place in this country! Can you just imagine how beautiful that would be? God’s creatures being protected everywhere…..YEA!
I am soo excited to hear this! needless to 5 officers cannot do all the work needed, but it’s better then nothing!!! wow I just learned some D….. fantastic news!