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The National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse (NCPAA), a program of the National District Attorneys Association, has teamed up with the ASPCA and Animal Legal Defense Fund to present a series of webinars to address the needs of professionals – especially prosecutors, veterinarians, and law enforcement – who pursue animal abusers.
All webinars are free and all run 60 minutes.
For attorneys: After the live webinar, you may request a Uniform Certificate of Attendance from NDAA to be submitted to your state bar for continuing legal education credits. You must be on the webinar for the full hour and must have your browser open to only the webinar. Upon request, NDAA will verify your participation and send you the appropriate forms. This webinar has also been approved by Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for 1 CLE hour (only for participating in the live webinar) and will provide that certification even if you are from a different state. Please email Allie Phillips for these documents.
To sign up for NCPAA's Tales of Justice newsletter, go to:
http://www.ndaa.org/animal_abuse_newsletter_mailinglist.html
* These live webinars have been pre-approved (or are pending approval)
for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits.
Register for Upcoming Webinars
Investigating and Litigating Puppy Mill Cases
Thursday, May 24, 3-4pm ET
Scott Heiser, Animal Legal Defense Fund
This talk will cover a host of factual and legal issues attendant to any puppy mill case, including: (a) an overview of the USDA’s regulatory impact on these types of cases; (b) a discussion of the unique issues that must be addressed in drafting state court search warrant affidavits; (c) an outline of the key components of a thorough investigation; (d) a review of the enforcement and charging options that exist outside of the animal cruelty code; and (e) an overview of the issues attendant to the pre-trial transfer of ownership of the victim animals.
Challenges of Prosecuting Equine Neglect Cases
Tuesday, June 12, 3-4pm ET
Presented by Joshua Marquis, District Attorney, Clatsop County, Oregon
In this webinar, we will discuss how to educate the jury on the issues during voir dire, how to identify and use expert witnesses, how to preserve evidence while saving the animals, the difference between more traditional animal companion hoarding cases and equine cases, and more. We will use the high profile case of Oregon vs. William Maxwell as a guide throughout the webinar. Join us for this free webinar to learn how you can more effectively prosecute equine neglect cases and help the horses that are victims of these crimes.
Trial Strategies in Animal Cruelty Prosecutions
Monday, July 16, 3-4pm ET
Geoff Fleck, Criminal Justice Program Contract Attorney for Animal Legal Defense Fund
This webinar will discuss specialized techniques for successfully prosecuting animal cruelty cases. Learn about jury selection, opening statements, presenting the state's case, cross-examining the defendant, and making an effective closing argument. You will learn how a successful strategy begins long before the case gets to court, and how precise pre-trial investigation and clever motion practice can promote a winning outcome. The presenter will describe the nuances of evidentiary and legal tactics that can make a prosecutor's case and insure a just verdict for the vulnerable, voiceless, victims he or she represents.
Planning for a Large Scale Seizure
Thursday, August 23, 3-4pm ET
Joel Lopez, Sr. Manager of Operations, Field Investigations and Response, ASPCA
Responding to hoarding and other cases that involve large numbers of animals requires comprehensive planning. These cases involve medically and behaviorally compromised animals, often incorporate multiple agencies, generate increased media attention, and require extensive resources. This webinar will provide an overview of the areas that should be considered in the planning process and key issues relevant to responding to large scale animal seizures.
Combating Animal Cruelty: The Past, Present and Future
Thursday, September 20, 3-4pm ET
Dr. Randy Lockwood, Sr. Vice President of Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects, ASPCA
Review the history of efforts to fight animal abuse and neglect in America from the early days of animal protection to today. The last decade has seen a dramatic improvement in laws protecting animals and the tools available to investigate and prosecute such crimes. There has also been increased attention to animals as victims of crimes, and the need to not only document the impact of abuse and neglect on animal victims but to also make efforts to undo the damage that may have been done. We will review current trends in animal law, the role of professionals and individuals in applying those laws, and the public's role in continuing to strengthen and enforce animal protection.
Watch Recordings of Past Webinars
Please complete this form to request access to view a webinar recording plus other webinar-related resources.
The Psychological Aspects of Maltreated Animals
Presented by Franklin D. McMillan, DVM, DACVIM, Director of Well-Being Studies, Best Friends Animal Society
The physical aspects of abuse and neglect in animals are relatively
well characterized – they can be seen outwardly in the form of body
condition and physical scars. But researchers in child abuse now
consider the psychological and emotional consequences of abuse and
neglect to be more damaging, and last for much longer, than the physical
consequences. And yet in both children and animals, the physical
aspects of abuse provoke the greatest outrage and attention among the
scientific as well as the general community. What is known about the
psychological effects of abuse and neglect in animals? Can the effects
be readily recognized? How damaging is it? How is it treated? Is this
the reason some animals "snap" and become suddenly violent? Equally
important, are there psychological factors that increase the chances of
being abused (do certain psychological traits place an animal at risk
for abuse?)? This knowledge may permit intervention that prevents
-- rather than treats -- abuse and neglect of animals.
Foreclosure Pets: Investigating and Prosecuting the Abandonment of Pets
Presented by Allie Phillips, Director, National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse
Companion animals are the silent victims of the financial downturn.
While record-number of companion animals are being surrendered to animal
shelters across the US, far too many are being abandoned inside or
outside of their foreclosed homes, most often without sufficient food,
water, or shelter. This results in real estate and foreclosure
professionals finding abandoned pets (some deceased) inside foreclosed
homes or locked in outdoor kennels. This free, 60-minute webinar will
discuss investigating the foreclosure pet case, including tips on proper
legal procedures for seizing abandoned pets, and the issues that may
arise when determining whether to prosecute and how to prosecute these
cases.
Non-Human DNA in Criminal Cases
Presented by Mitch Morrissey, Denver District Attorney
DNA technology has aided in the successful prosecution of poachers, smugglers, rapists, and murderers. From protected species to major caviar busts, Mr. Morrissey will explain how non-human biological samples collected by law enforcement all over the world have helped thwart some of the most heinous crimes. As a leading expert on the use of DNA in the courtroom, Mr. Morrissey is well-versed on leveraging critical DNA evidence to stop cruel practices and exonerate both human and animal “perpetrators.”
The AniCare Treatment Program for Adult and Juvenile Animal Cruelty Offenders
Presented by Kenneth Shapiro, Ph.D., & Beatrice Friedlander, Esq., Animals and Society Institute
The AniCare Model of Treatment for Animal Abuse is the first professionally developed psychological intervention program for animal abusers over the age of 17. A program called AniCare Child is used to treat offenders under age 17. Tune in to learn about how AniCare can be instrumental in your animal abuse cases.
The Veterinarian as Expert Witness in Animal Abuse Cases
Presented by Diane Balkin, Attorney, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Robert Reisman, DVM, Medical Coordinator of Animal Cruelty Cases, Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, ASPCA
Veterinarians play a crucial role in identifying, reporting, and testifying in animal cruelty cases. This webinar focuses on the veterinarian's role in the investigation and criminal prosecution of animal abuse, and provides tips for prosecutors to better prepare a veterinarian to testify.
The Linkages between Violence to Animals and People
Presented by Allie Phillips, Director, National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse, National District Attorneys Association
This webinar will explain the research and theories behind the linkage of violence to animals and people. Investigation and prosecution strategies on handling "Link" crimes will be discussed, as well as the psychological impact of animal abuse on children, and how to include animal protection in your multi-disciplinary team to better prevent, investigate, and cross-report all forms of abuse.
Prosecuting Animal Hoarding: Why, When, and How
Presented by Randall Lockwood, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Forensic Sciences and Anti-cruelty Projects, ASPCA
Animal hoarding cases represent a significant proportion of animal abuse and severe neglect cases. These cases present several unique challenges to those who investigate and prosecute animal cruelty. In this webinar, we will review the issues and examples of successful and unsuccessful prosecutions, with recommendations for best practices for preventing and responding to hoarding issues at the community level.
Tackling the Prosecution of Animal Abuse Head On
Presented by Allie Phillips, National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse (NCPAA), National District Attorneys Association
This webinar will discuss why NCPAA was formed, and its services and resources available to prosecutors and other professionals who work to combat animal abuse. Also, we delve into the linkages between violence to people and animals to show how when animals are abused, communities are not safe.
Also, you may register to view the recording of the 9/21 webinar Recognizing and Responding to Rescue Hoarders, presented by Randall Lockwood, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Forensic Sciences and Anti-cruelty Projects, ASPCA.
The National Link Coalition
The webinar series is closely allied with the goals of the National Link Coalition, a network of professionals working to address public policy, programs and research on The Link (the intersections where animal abuse, child maltreatment, domestic violence and elder abuse meet).
"Getting prosecutors and investigators to understand the significance of animals in the lives of families and the links between animal abuse and other forms of community and family violence is a critical priority", said Phil Arkow, ASPCA Consultant and National Link Coalition coordinator. |
