City of Dallas announces new Animal Cruelty Unit

by Rebecca Poling of DFW Animal Rescue

This is a major victory for animal lovers.

Olivia, rescued earlier this month and taken to Dallas Animal Services, is now in the care of Animal Allies of Texas.

DALLAS — The animal welfare community is celebrating today after Dallas County ADA David Alex, in an interview with CBS 11 reporter Sharrie Williams, confirmed the creation of a special unit within the district attorney’s office to prosecute animal cruelty cases.

Dallas Animal Services Division Manager Jody Jones has been working with the DA’s office to find ways to better prosecute these cases since she arrived in Dallas just over a year ago, and this is a huge step forward in that effort. Jones, a faculty member of the Animal Cruelty Advisory Council of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, an organization comprised of the nation’s top animal cruelty investigators and prosecutors, spoke just last month at the National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference. The conference is designed to educate prosecutors, veterinarians, and law enforcement about the tools and resources available for investigating and prosecuting cruelty cases and the importance of recognizing them as violent crimes against a community. Alex and three other staff members from the district attorney’s office attended the conference, where Jones co-presented with Animal Legal Defense Fund President Soctt Heiser. Jones has regularly consulted on and helped facilitate similar animal cruelty units and prosecutions throughout the country and was instrumental in forming a legislative task force in Virginia that brought agencies together to affect positive change in animal cruelty laws in that state.

A formal announcement of the animal cruelty unit is scheduled for December 4 at the Dallas County Commissioners meeting. DFWAnimalRescue.com is very proud of everyone at the DA’s office who worked so hard to make the animal cruelty unit a reality. This brings our city to a whole new level in regards to the care of our animals.

Want to say thank you yourself? Leave a comment on the District Attorney’s Facebook page here.

Pegasus News Content partner - DFW Animal Rescue

birdandhorselady, anonymous:

Another official has drunk the AR-koolaid. Let's make criminals out of animal enterprises and bring in their money in fines to the City while crushing citizens' lives. This isn't about animal cruelty. It's about punishing people for owning and using animals. Watch for more raids/seizures "under color of law". What individuals, once targeted and railroaded can afford the thousands of dollars to defend themselves against the jackbooted thugs that animal rights-led organizations (H$U$, ALDF, THLN, et al) train in their so-called enforcement courses now used by many in law enforcement? These courses basically brainwash authorities and teach them how to terrorize citizens who use animals in any way. Yeah, that's America. NOT!

5 months, 3 weeks ago
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owensjdo, anonymous:

hey you stupid bird brain, were not talking about using animals like horse or guide dogs here lady. were talking about people who trap animals in below 40 degree and raining and leaving them in the trap all night and then the next day and later on find that animal dead in the cage. were talking about people who throw animals against the wall and killing it just because there kids pissed them off, talking about hitting breaking, burning, staving, putting firecracker in the butt's of kittens just to see them blow up, you really are an jack=ass. and if you dont think that's cruelty, lets put you in those condishion. i know let put you in a cage, at 39 degree's outside and spray water on you and let the wind blow directly on you all night. o and that 39 degree's was at 10 o clock at night, and then just by chance a kid lets say under 10 to hit home see this. i'd love to teach you a lesson. i take it you've been there before to write such a stupid statement. you must have been investigated yourself and didnt agree am i right, i sure feel i am

5 months ago
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eeweldon, anonymous:

Simple. Just put yourself in the animals place and see the world thru their experience. Animals deserve respect. Treat animals just as you would treat yourself

3 months, 2 weeks ago
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