ASPCA Cruelty Investigations Workshop

Combating animal cruelty is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, prosecutors, veterinarians, animal welfare professionals and community members. This in-person training covers animal cruelty investigations from start to finish, including how best to identify, respond, document and prosecute animal related crimes. This training is offered to law enforcement, humane law enforcement officers, prosecutors and veterinary and shelter professionals and includes valuable hands-on experiences designed to improve all attendees' abilities to successfully respond to animal cruelty in their communities.

This unique, hands-on training is approved for 11.40 hours of CE credits approved by Texas DSHS. You must attend both full days to receive full credit. The training will cover the below:

Day One: 5.40 hours of CE credits

• Texas Animal Cruelty and Disposition Laws (1 hour)
• The Link: the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence (45 min)
• Strong Investigations: How to successfully investigate and address neglect and overt abuse (1.5 hours)
• The Veterinarian’s Role in Animal Cruelty Cases (45 min)
• Animal Fighting – Identification and Investigation Basics (1 hour)
• Best Practices for Sheltering Victims of Animal Cruelty (1 hour)

Day Two: 6 hours of CE credits

• Hands On Crime Scene Processing and Animal Removal (3 hours)
• Interactive Cross Examination and Testimony Workshop (3 hours)

Speakers Include:

• Rachel Touroo, DVM, M.S., Senior Director, Veterinary Forensic Sciences, ASPCA
• Jonesta Nolan, M.S., Forensic Analyst, Veterinary Forensic Sciences, ASPCA
• Mary Sarah Fairweather, Vice President, Cruelty Recovery Center, ASPCA
• Terry Mills, Director, Blood Sports Investigations, ASPCA
• Teresa Ladner, Senior Director, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, ASPCA
• Leigh Anne Wilson, Director, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, ASPCA
• Elizabeth Brandler, Esq., Senior Counsel, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, ASPCA
• Nathan Zilak, Esq., Criminal Practice Counsel, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, ASPCA
• Maya Gupta, Ph.D., Senior Director of Research, ASPCA

Additional Details:

Day one will cover the above topics focusing on laying the groundwork of animal cruelty investigations in an interactive classroom setting. Day two will offer a unique opportunity for a hands-on experience based on learnings from day one. For this reason, you must register for and complete day one in order to attend day two.

The first half of day two will focus on crime scene processing and animal removal and is aimed at police officers and field agents. The second half of day two will be a workshop focused on cross examination and testimony. This portion is open to anyone who attended day one.

Any travel expenses are responsibility of the attendee(s). Please email Marcialyn Hopper, at marcialyn.hooper@dallas.gov with any questions.