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Friendship APL employs two full-time\u00a0humane officers to respond to animal emergencies, allegations of cruelty or other problems. Humane cases range from animals hit by car, people keeping animals without providing proper food and water, people abusing animals or people who cannot afford to keep the animals they possess. We attempt to educate people about their responsibilities as pet owners. If education and persuasion are not effective in changing behavior, we can seize the animals or refer the case to the prosecutor for the filing of criminal charges. The Humane Officers are appointed by the probate court on the recommendation of the Executive Director.<\/p>\n
After carefully considering all the circumstances of a case, Friendship APL sometimes determines that the suspected animal abuser should be criminally prosecuted for his or her actions. Animal abuse cases are criminal cases in criminal court just like assault or theft. We work carefully with the prosecutor’s office to collect all the information that might be needed. We sometimes petition the court for a search warrant or to subpoena evidence. Each of these steps must be completed just right because the accused has all the rights of any other criminal defendant. Once all the evidence is collected and processed, we present our case to the prosecutor. When the prosecutor is convinced that we have a good case, he proceeds with the prosecution. If the case goes to trial, then people from Friendship APL are usually called to testify.<\/p>\n