ASPCA Animal Fighting Investigations Expert Hosts Comprehensive Training for Nearly 50 Law Enforcement and Animal Services Officers in Wake County

RALEIGH, N.C. – The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) this week partnered with Wake County Animal Services to host a free comprehensive animal fighting investigation training for law enforcement, prosecutors, animal services officers, and veterinarians in and around Wake County, N.C. Terry Mills, the ASPCA’s director of blood sport investigations presented to nearly 50 personnel in Wake County and neighboring counties who respond to and prosecute suspected animal cruelty and neglect. Attendees learned about animal fighting laws in North Carolina, investigating and responding to animal fighting cases, identifying and collecting evidence, forensic evaluations, and animal behavior.

"Addressing suspected animal fighting is a critical component to enhancing public safety – it is a brutal form of animal cruelty, is much more common than many people realize, and is often linked to other criminal activity,” said ASPCA Director of Blood Sports Investigations Terry Mills, who has played an integral role in the ASPCA’s efforts to assist with more than 300 dogfighting cases across the country since 2010. “Providing expert resources and best practices for law enforcement officers and animal welfare professionals across the country helps ensure they can effectively prevent and respond to animal cruelty situations in their communities, saving the lives of even more animals and holding abusers accountable.”

"Wake County Animal Control Officers deal with these situations all too often and it's so important for our team to be on the same page as the other municipal animal control officers who serve our community," said Wake County Animal Center Director Dr. Jennifer Federico. "We appreciate this partnership with the ASPCA. We can't let this issue go unchecked - for the safety of our residents or the safety of the animals."

The ASPCA deploys nationally to assist local authorities with suspected animal cruelty situations and has supported North Carolina-based animal welfare organizations in recent years, including a dogfighting investigation last year in Guilford County. Since 2010, the ASPCA has positively impacted through rescue, consultations and investigations nearly 6,000 victims of dogfighting across the country. In addition, the ASPCA provides local communities with resources including grant funding, training, and subject matter expertise to enhance their ability to independently investigate and respond to suspected animal cruelty situations and effectively assist animal victims.

To learn more about the ASPCA’s work to support local law enforcement with situations of suspected animal cruelty, visit www.aspca.org/fightcruelty.