Humane Law Enforcement Awards Honor Champions for Animals |
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October 17, 2007
Six of the nation's top dogs in law enforcement gathered in Alexandria, Va., on October 13 to receive honors for their work in animal protection.
Enforcing the Law for Animals
The 2007 Humane Law Enforcement Awards, co-sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States and the National District Attorneys Association, spotlighted those in law enforcement who made the most meaningful progress against animal abusers in the last year.
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| ©The HSUS |
| The HSUS recognized the Chicago Police Department for their strides for animal welfare. |
"We are pleased to recognize law enforcement officials' tremendous efforts to end the scourge of animal cruelty," said HSUS President & CEO Wayne Pacelle. "They are truly on the front lines of this battle, and it is our privilege to honor them with this award."
Recognizing Compassion
Those honored included prosecutors and sheriffs from across the country whose work on behalf of animals broke new ground and provided a model for the pursuit and prosecution of animal abuse cases. Wayne Pacelle and Ann Chynoweth, director of The HSUS's Animal Cruelty and Fighting campaign, presented awards to an impressive array of good actors:
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| ©The HSUS |
| Wayne Pacelle presented an award to L.A. Assistant District Attorney Deborah Knaan. |
Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley and Deputy District Attorney Deborah Knaan, who spearheaded a model program to combat animal cruelty in L.A. County. Cooley appointed Knaan as the county's animal cruelty case coordinator in August.
U.S. Attorney Gregory Lockhart, Attorney General Marc Dann and USDA Agent Mark Barnhart, who organized and led a March 24 raid on massive dogfighting pit in Ohio, which turned out to be one of the largest and most successful dogfighting crackdowns in U.S. history.
Mecklenburg County, Virginia lead investigator Chris Whittemore, Sheriff Danny Fox and Commonwealth's Attorney Nora Miller, who executed the largest cockfighting raid in Virginia's recent history and lobbied the Virginia General Assembly to strengthen the state's cockfighting law.
Sgt. Brian Degenhardt, Officer Thomas Barker and Officer James Conlan of The Chicago Police Department's Animal Crimes Unit, which was created after Degenhardt spearheaded a study that found 70 percent of people charged with animal cruelty had prior felony arrests on battery, weapons and drug charges.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard and Senior Assistant District Attorney Laura Janssen, who prosecuted and obtained a conviction in one of the most egregious cases of animal cruelty in Georgia history, in which two teens tortured to death a small puppy. Howard also lobbied the governor to strengthen Georgia's animal cruelty law.
After the ceremony, award recipient Chris Whittemore said, "This recognition alone has made me feel good about coming to work every day and has made me a better person in that an animal, in my eyes, is considered a human without a voice. I really feel honored by this award, and I am very proud of the little contribution that we could make."
Animals ultimately depend on the willingness of the justice system to protect them from the terrible abuse they so frequently endure at the hands of criminals. Too often, crimes of animal abuse are swept under the rug they are not taken seriously among some in law enforcement.
But as the above champions for animal protection demonstrate, that sentiment is now changing. As the tide turns in favor of animal protection, we hope to see others in law enforcement follow their lead.
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See the Video
Fighting Issues, not Animals
First Strike
Related Links
Animal Cruelty
Justice Denied: Why Animal Cruelty Laws Sometimes Fail
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Cruelty
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