Online Courses on Law Enforcement
Combating animal cruelty is a collaborative effort on the part of law enforcement, prosecutors, veterinarians, animal welfare professionals and community members—each of us can do our part to prevent suffering and save lives.
Originally designed for law enforcement, these courses are helpful for anyone interested in assisting in cruelty investigations and include information on dogfighting and animal abuse investigations.
Enroll in Law Enforcement Courses
Combating Dogfighting Course
Underwritten by the US Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and developed as an accompaniment to the manual The Dogfighting Toolkit for Law Enforcement, the online course Combating Dogfighting teaches you how to detect, investigate, and take action against dogfighting within your jurisdiction.
Combating Dogfighting was developed by ASPCA anti-cruelty experts Randall Lockwood, PhD (Senior Vice President, Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects), and Stacy Wolf, Esq. (Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel, Humane Law Enforcement).
The course is approximately two hours and includes:
- Part One, Understanding Dogfighting, contains a comprehensive overview of dogfighting in the United States.
- Part Two, Investigating and Responding to Dogfighting, contains information and resources to help you detect and take action against dogfighting, including successfully prosecuting dogfighting in your community.
Investigating Animal Abuse for Law Enforcement Course
Developed in conjunction with the Illinois Regional Institute of Community Policing (now the Center for Public Safety and Justice), this course assists law enforcement and animal control professionals in effectively identifying and investigating animal cruelty and neglect.
The three-hour course offers a comprehensive approach to enforcing animal cruelty laws, covering:
- Animal abuse and community policing
- Evidence collection and preservation
- Officer safety
Courses for Animal Welfare Professionals and Emergency Responders
Field Investigations and Response Series
The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Department developed 10 courses that explore issues critical to successful investigations and response for animals in crisis, including animals in natural or man-made disaster situations.
Four of the 10 courses are required to be a responder for the ASPCA’s Field Investigation and Response Team. Learn more about becoming a responder.