Hello all,
I know this is not political but as someone who has watched way too many episodes of Animal Cops and followed the Vick case this is good news to me.
ASPCA launches new Mobile Animal Crime Scene Unit
The ASPCA unveiled the nation’s first-ever "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit," a specially-designed vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art forensics tools as well as medical equipment tailored for animal patients. A "forensics first," the "Animal CSI" vehicle was created to significantly advance the prosecution of animal cruelty and help strengthen cases against offenders by incorporating the emerging field of veterinary forensics in crime scene investigations. The ASPCA also announced plans to break ground next year on the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Institute.
"Time and time again we see that our nation’s most appalling criminals have a history of abusing animals—that animal cruelty and human cruelty are indelibly linked—and the ASPCA is committed to providing resources and training to stop these crimes in their tracks," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "The Mobile Animal CSI unit and the Anti-Cruelty Institute are two new milestones in our ongoing fight against animal cruelty."
The mobile unit is fully outfitted to allow Dr. Merck to examine and care for animals found at suspected crime scenes, and includes a surgical suite for animals in need of urgent care.
The ASPCA will break ground on the nation’s first Anti-Cruelty Institute in New York in 2008. This institute will be dedicated to educating veterinarians and law enforcement officials with specialized training necessary to recognize and respond to animal cruelty. The facility, scheduled to open in 2010, will include a forensic laboratory and veterinary hospital, a treatment center for animals that are victims of cruelty, as well as educational training and other programs.
This is so important because it shows that we as a society are starting to view animal cruelty both as a crime worth prosecution to the fullest extent and as a warning sign of possible future violent behavior.
I hope that this unit is also able to really start cracking down on repeat offenders and maybe give some assistance in the animal poisoning cases that happen with disturbing frequency. It will also be nice to be able to start treating seriously abused animals at the scene instead of having to wait for transport back to the hospital.
Just wanted to spread some good news.
Chaos