Table Of ContentAnimal Cruelty Investigations: A Collaborative
Approach from Victim to Verdict™
Cover photo:
Abraham was one of 149 dogs seized in a large-scale animal neglect case in Oregon requiring strong
inter-disciplinary collaboration. After gaining 20 pounds (25% of his body weight), Abe, as he came to
be known, found his forever home in Oregon. The plight of the animal victims in that case prompted
significant strengthening of Oregon’s animal protection laws.
Animal Cruelty Investigations: A Collaborative
Approach from Victim to Verdict™
Edited by
Kris Otteman
DVM, Diplomate ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice, CAWA
Courtesy Faculty Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, USA
Linda Fielder
CAWA
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Cotati, CA, USA
Emily Lewis
JD, MSEL
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Cotati, CA, USA
This first edition first published 2022
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Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: Courtesy of John Valls
Set in 9.5/12.5pt STIXTwoText by Straive, Pondicherry, India
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
v
Contents
List of Contributors xi
Preface xii
Acknowledgments xiii
About the Companion Website xv
1 Introduction1
Emily Lewis
11 Making the Most of This Resource 1
12 Why Definitions Are Important 2
13 Terms and Phrases: Animal Cruelty Cases 2
14 Terms and Phrases: Veterinary Medicine 3
15 Terms and Phrases: Law Enforcement and Field Services 5
16 Terms and Phrases: Criminal Law 7
17 Looking Ahead12
References 12
2 Animal Basics 14
Kris Otteman, Zarah Hedge, and Linda Fielder
21 The History of the Five Freedoms and Their Impact on Animal Welfare Laws 15
22 Veterinarians as Experts in the Field 15
23 With So Many Species, Where to Begin? 16
24 Defining Animals by Category 16
25 Animal Basics by Species 16
26 Basics That Apply to All Animals 23
27 Putting Your Basic Knowledge to Work 24
References 24
3 Fundamentals of All Cases25
Linda Fielder
31 Interdisciplinary Roles 25
32 Environment 26
33 Sanitation 27
34 Food and Water 28
35 Nutrition 30
36 Documentation 31
vi Contents
37 Body Condition 32
38 Documenting Body Condition 33
39 Dental, Foot, and Hoof Care 33
310 Veterinary Care, Medications, and Treatment 35
311 Nonaccidental Injury and Trauma 36
312 The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Crimes Against Humans 37
313 Emergency Issues 37
References 37
4 Initial Investigation and Assessment 38
Linda Fielder
41 Types of Reports 38
42 Anonymous Reports 39
43 Required Information 39
44 Response Triage 40
45 Legitimate or Not? How to Decide 40
46 Responding to Calls: Initial Site Visit 40
5 Witness and Subject Interviewing 45
Linda Fielder
51 Preparation for the Interview 45
52 Interview Location and Setting 46
53 Miranda and Consent 46
54 Building Rapport 47
55 Ask Clear and Direct Open-Ended Questions 48
56 Suspect Interviews 49
57 Reading Body Language and Detecting Deception 50
58 Confessions 50
59 Ending the Interview 51
510 Documenting the Interview 51
511 Additional Resources and Training 51
References 51
6 The Veterinarian’s Role in Animal Cruelty Investigations 53
Kris Otteman
61 The Veterinarian is an Important Partner in Animal Cruelty Investigations 53
62 The Veterinarian’s Oath 55
63 How Veterinary Forensics Differs from Traditional Veterinary Medicine55
64 Veterinary Confidentiality and Medical Records Requests 56
65 Public Information Considerations 57
66 Conflicts of Interest 58
67 Be Familiar with the Laws 59
68 How to Find and Build Knowledge in the Area of Animal Law 59
69 Understand What the Prosecutor and Law Enforcement Need to Know 60
Contents vii
610 How Animal Cruelty Investigations Surface and Become Active Cases 61
References 62
7 The Veterinary Exam and Treatment Plan 63
Kris Otteman and Zarah Hedge
71 Request and Review Evidentiary Material 64
72 Initial Steps 65
73 Examination Key Elements 71
74 Ongoing Responsibilities of the Veterinarian 83
References 86
8 Setting Expectations and Monitoring Compliance 87
Linda Fielder
81 Education and Guidance vs Citation 87
82 Passive Neglect and Lack of Resources 88
83 Education 89
84 Setting Expectations 90
85 What You Can and Cannot Require 91
86 Conducting Rechecks 92
87 What If Nothing Improves or Conditions Worsen? 92
88 What About Animal Hoarders? 93
References 94
9 Search Warrants and Seizures 95
Emily Lewis
91 Exceptions to the Warrant Requirement in Animal Cruelty Cases 95
92 Prewarrant Considerations 98
93 Drafting of the Affidavit and Search Warrant 103
94 Before You Serve the Warrant 110
95 Preservice Briefing 114
96 Serving the Warrant 115
97 Start Documenting the Scene 117
98 System for Evidence Documentation and Processing 118
99 Processing the Animals 121
910 Forms 123
911 Discovering Evidence of Other Crimes 127
912 The First 24 Hours After the Search Warrant Execution 127
References 128
10 Evidence Collection 130
Emily Lewis
101 What is Evidence? 130
102 How Evidence in Animal Cruelty Cases Differs from Traditional Property Crimes 130
103 How to Package the Evidence 136
104 What to Do with Evidence Until Trial 152
viii Contents
105 Evidence at Trial 154
106 Evidence After Trial 155
References 157
11 Veterinary Forensic Necropsy �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������158
Kris Otteman and Zarah Hedge
111 How a Forensic Necropsy is Different 158
112 The Importance of the Forensic Necropsy 158
113 Necropsy at the Owner’s Request 159
114 Packaging and Storing Remains Prior to Necropsy 159
115 Forensic Necropsy Equipment and Protocols 160
116 Case History 160
117 Preparing to Perform the Necropsy 160
118 The Necropsy Report 175
119 Next Steps 179
1110 An Important Reminder 179
References 179
12 Report Writing ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������180
Emily Lewis
121 Introduction 180
122 General Principles 180
123 Crime Report183
124 Veterinarian Reports 184
125 Witness Statements 189
126 The Case Packet 192
127 Conclusion 195
13 Protective Custody (Live Animals) �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������196
Linda Fielder
131 The Challenge of Live Animal Evidence196
132 The First 24 Hours 197
133 Know Your Agency’s Capacity 198
134 Facility Set-Up and Security 199
135 Training Staff and Confidentiality 200
136 Paperwork and Record Keeping 201
137 Providing Security Without Isolation 202
138 Foster Care and Offsite Boarding 203
139 Routine and Emergency Veterinary Care 204
1310 Death in Care and Euthanasia Considerations 204
1311 Offspring Born in Care 205
1312 Conclusion 206
References 206
Contents ix
14 Media and Fundraising ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������207
Emily Lewis
141 Media Coverage 207
142 Handling Negative Press 214
143 Internal Communications Policy 215
144 Fundraising 215
References 220
15 Forfeiture, Surrender, and Related Legal Remedies �����������������������������������������������������������������������221
David Rosengard
151 Seized Animals and Reasonable Minimum Care 222
152 The Impact of Seizure Expenses – and Responsive Solutions 223
153 Voluntary Relinquishment 223
154 The Seized Animal as Contraband 224
155 Preconviction Forfeiture 226
156 Preconviction Forfeiture: Bond-or-Forfeit Statutes 227
157 Bond-or-Forfeit Statute Examples 228
158 Bond-or-Forfeit statutes Are Constitutionally Compliant 229
159 Restitution 230
1510 Forfeiture via Sentencing 231
1511 Cost-of-Care Liens 231
1512 Conclusion 231
References 232
16 Trial �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������233
Jake Kamins
161 Trials: An Overview 233
162 The Players 234
163 How a Typical Criminal Case Gets to Trial 238
164 Pretrial Matters 241
165 The Trial 242
166 Topics for Prosecutors 246
167 Conclusion 249
Introduction to the Appendix 250
Appendix A: Specific Case Protocols 251
Appendix B: Forms and Checklists 329
Appendix C: Templates and Agreements 391
Appendix D: Resources 425
Index 441
xi
List of Contributors
E ditors C ontributors
Linda Fielder, CAWA Dr. Zarah Hedge, DVM, MHP, DACVPM, DABVP
Animal Legal Defense Fund Shelter Medicine Practice
Cotati, CA San Diego, CA
USA USA
Jake Kamins, JD
Emily Lewis, JD, MSEL State of Oregon Animal Cruelty Deputy
Animal Legal Defense Fund District Attorney
Cotati, CA Corvallis, OR
USA USA
David B. Rosengard, JD, LLM
Dr. Kris Otteman, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Shelter Managing Attorney, Animal Legal
Medicine Practice, CAWA Defense Fund
Courtesy Faculty Carlson College of Veterinary Adjunct Professor of Animal Law, Lewis &
Medicine, Clark Law School
Oregon State University Cotati, CA
USA USA
