Humane law enforcement

Humane law enforcement is the enforcement of laws relating to the humane treatment of non-human animals. East Coast of United States, ie: NJ, NY, and PA have full Police Officers, while the majority of the west coast of the United States ie: CA, OR, and NV typically use Animal Control for Humane Law Enforcement needs.

Agencies and personnel

FEMA - 3634 - Photograph by Leif Skoogfors taken on 07-21-2001 in West Virginia

Humane law enforcement officers (oftentimes abbreviated as "HLEOs" in some jurisdictions or Humane Society Police Officers HSPO in other jurisdictions such as New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) are generally members of a state or local society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) or a state or local police department and as such are generally trained and certified alongside other police and law enforcement officers at a state or local police training academy. Depending on the jurisdiction, HLEOs may also be sworn and/or commissioned officers with peace officer status, empowered with the appropriate law enforcement authority to effect arrests with or without warrant, sign complaints and issue court summonses, conduct searches and seizures, and carry weapons including a firearm, especially if trained and certified through a police training academy. Humane law enforcement may be performed by government agencies, private agencies, or both, depending on the jurisdiction. Individuals who perform humane law enforcement duties include police officers, humane law enforcement officers, animal control officers, and animal cruelty investigators.

There are many different agencies that are involved in humane law enforcement including private and public. Pennsylvania SPCA Police (www.pspca.org) is the largest in Pennsylvania, with smaller humane society's on a county level. One of the better known private agencies is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Other agencies include the Humane Society of the United States as well as state police departments. Although all the states do not have a specific humane law enforcement section of their police department, all of them do in one way or another take care of the responsibilities that humane officers would do.

In NJ, NY, and Pennsylvania, Humane Police Officers whom are Level 1 or Tier 1, (See training below), are full police officers, respond with local police or respond as police, to animal neglect and cruelty complaints. Majority of these officers drive police vehicles with Emergency Lights, (Red and White in NY), (Red and Blue in NJ) and (Red and Blue in Pennsylvania). These officers have full police powers, and have authority to Search, Seize, and Arrest, and work under the authority of the county district attorney.

Humane Police Vehicles are considered Police and typically use red and blue warning lights, (Some humane officers are given special vehicle light permits to use their personal vehicles or POV), and can include sedans, SUV's, Pick Ups, Vans, Utility Trucks, or even trailers. In Pennsylvania, every county has a CART, which stands for County Animal Response Team, which can be utilized for animal hoarding situations or disasters. In New York, Officers are usually given Agency Police cars. In NJ, officers usually use their own vehicles and are given Red Light Permits from the NJ Department of Motor Vehicles. In Pennsylvania, any vehicle whether Agency or POV being used by a Tier 1 Sworn Humane Police Officer, may use Emergency Vehicle Warning Lights (Red and Blue), and must register the vehicle thru the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as an Emergency Vehicle. In NJ some Humane Officers are also Animal Control Officers and are only permitted Amber Vehicle Warning lights. In NY Animal Control Officers are only permitted vehicle Amber Lights. In Pennsylvania, any humane investigator may use red and blue lights. Game Wardens are also Humane Police Officers, however, they tend to have authority over non domestic animals, and also use a variety of vehicles with Emergency Vehicle Warning lights.

Duties

Visibly malnourished horse

The duties of humane law enforcement personnel also depend on the jurisdiction. Their duties may include performing routine patrol to look out for violations of humane laws, answering complaints relating to violations of humane laws, making arrests or issuing summonses for violations of humane laws, and seizing animals due to violations of humane laws. They may also perform undercover work.

Although some of the duties may differ slightly between different jurisdictions and agencies, for the most part many of the responsibilities will be the same. According to criminologycareers.com, humane law enforcement officers are responsible for "Investigating animal abuse cases, Enforcing laws related to the care and keeping of animals, Regulating industries that work with and use animals, Writing reports, Preparing and executing warrants, Arresting suspected criminals, Issuing civil fines, Responding to calls for service." These duties are performed by all humane enforcement agencies while others may differ slightly depending on the location of the agency. For example, a humane law officer in New York City would most likely not be dealing with bear baiting offenders like officers in South Carolina do.

Education and training

Hinged Handcuffs Rear Back To Back

Employment in humane law enforcement employment will at the very least require a high school diploma or GED. Many will require an advanced degree. A great majority of the agencies and departments will also require previous experience working with animals. Those hoping to become a humane officer through a police department will also have to go through the police academy. In Pennsylvania and New York , there are two types of Humane Society Police Officers (HSPO). HSPO Tier 1 and Tier 2. HSPO Tier 1 are full police officers, have gone thru a Police Academy (PA Act 120) and are under the Jurisdiction of the County District Attorney with authorization to carry Firearms, have full arrest, search and seizure Authority under PA Title 18 "Criminal Code", and are authorized under HR 218 or LEOSA law. Plus, must go thru a secondary animal training class that may be helpful, as officers work with sick/injured animals and need to know how to properly handle and care for them. HSPO Tier 2 officers, have not gone thru a Police Academy , cannot carry firearms and work under the direction of the local humane society that employs them. "Individuals interested in becoming humane society police officers may obtain training through state humane society associations, national animal control associations, community colleges or technical schools." www.pspca.org. PA Act 120. PA Title 22. PA Title 18 criminal code see leosa act

See also

• New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Pennsylvania list of Law Enforcement Agencies