Mineola, NY - June 8, 2017 - Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter and members of the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Inc. (NCSPCA) announced the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement in the fight against animal crimes. This agreement is the first of its kind in Nassau County and enables law enforcement to supplement resources while enforcing laws pertaining to animal protection.
“We are ushering in a new era of cooperation – where prosecutors and investigators from my office’s Animal Crimes Unit, peace officers from the SPCA, and police officers and detectives from the NCPD will all work closely together to ensure the safety of Nassau’s animals,” DA Singas said. “Crimes against defenseless animals are heartbreaking, and we take these cases very seriously because we know that those who abuse or neglect animals often harm people too.”
“For many of us pets are like family members and it is unfathomable that someone would do harm, neglect, or fight any animals,” said Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter. “Unfortunately, that does sometimes happen but working together with the District Attorney and the Nassau County SPCA we will be able to pool our resources and work collaboratively to help put an end to these egregious events.”
The Nassau County SPCA, which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, will utilize its peace officers to investigate animal cruelty offenses, either independently or in support of Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) or Nassau County District Attorney (NCDA) operations. The NCDA will continue to pledge financial assistance for the care of impounded animals during the time of criminal investigation and prosecution. In addition, the NCSPCA will maintain a 24-hour hotline consult with the NCDA when contemplating criminal charges and provide training for NCPD recruits and sergeants on officer safety matters related to animal interactions and indicators of possible animal cruelty.
“This agreement should stand as an example for other towns, cities and counties to follow,” said Gary Rogers, President of the NCSPCA “The collaboration and cooperation between these agencies will ensure that our community continues to do all that is possible in preventing, investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty.”
The NCPD will be conducting background checks of NCSPCA peace officers and will be notifying NCSPCA personnel where their services are needed. The NCPD will assist NCSPCA with high-risk arrests or investigative situations and when requested the NCPD Detective Division will assist with investigations, evidence collection and evidence analysis. The NCDA will continue to prosecute cases proffered by the NCPD and NCSPCA and will endeavor to secure restitution for any out-of-pocket expenses of the NCSPA.
Anyone who has information regarding animal cruelty, mistreatment, abuse or neglect is urged to call the Nassau County SPCA hotline at (516) THE-SPCA (843-7722). To report an emergency or animal that is about to be injured or killed, please call the NCPD at 911.