Animal Cruelty Taskforce
- 1. ACT Newsletter - Animal Hoarding
- 2. Animal Cruelty Taskforce Description
- 3. ACT Newsletter - Abuse or Illness?
Animal Cruelty Task Force FAQ's
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
WHY WAS ACT CREATED?
In August 1999, Arizona Governor Jane Hull signed into law an act amending ARS sections 11-1023 and 13-2910 relating to violence toward animals. This act, better known as the animal cruelty felony law, changed the penalties for those committing animal cruelty from a Class One Misdemeanor to a Class Six Felony. ACT was partially created to help law enforcement personnel understand and successfully use this new law. Additionally, ACT works as a public information and training organization to raise community awareness and help prevent violent crimes toward animals.
WHAT IS ACT’S MISSION STATEMENT?
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ACT was created to increase awareness of animal cruelty laws in southern Arizona.
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To enhance and coordinate enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
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To educate law enforcement, animal care professionals and other interested agencies in aspects of animal cruelty and the relationship of animal cruelty to other forms of assaulting behavior.
IS ACT AN ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION?
No. ACT is a nonpolitical coalition of organizations who share the mutual goals of protecting animals and human beings from violent crime through the utilization of existing laws; prosecuting or rehabilitating offenders; providing public education or services to the animal and human victims of violent crime. ACT does not accept members who are identified as animal rights activists or who are working to further a political agenda in respect to animals [see membership requirements below for further details].
DOES ACT INVESTIGATE CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS?
ACT is not an investigative organization. The taskforce’s primary purpose is to provide public education and training to professional organizations. ACT may assist existing police, animal control agencies and other investigative organizations with their public mandate to protect animals from neglect and abuse.
WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF ACT?
Membership to ACT is limited to personnel from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies; personnel from organizations with existing programs that aid law enforcement and the prevention of animal cruelty; and personnel such as veterinarians or related professionals trained in detecting and diagnosing animal cruelty, treating animal victims, human offenders or providing public education.
WHICH ORGANIZATIONS CURRENTLY BELONG TO ACT (as of February 2002)?
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88-CRIME
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Arizona Child Protective Services
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Arizona Dept. of Agriculture
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Arizona Dept. of Game and Fish
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Arizona Dept. of Juvenile Corrections
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Arizona State Veterinarian’s Office
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Arizona Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
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Arrow Animal Hospital
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City of Tucson Attorney’s Office
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Cochise County Sheriff’s Dept.
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Davis-Monthan AFB, Security Forces
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Florence Police Dept.
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Greenway Pet Clinic
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Humane Society of Southern Arizona
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Kearny Police Dept.
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Marana Police Dept.
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Maricopa County Sheriff’s Dept.
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Maricopa Animal Care & Control
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Northwest Fire / Rescue District
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Oro Valley Police Dept.
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Pantano Animal Clinic
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Phoenix Police Dept.
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Pima Animal Control Center
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Pima County Adult Probation
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Pima County Attorney’s Office
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Pima County Juvenile Probation
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Pima County Parks & Rec Police
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Pima County Sheriff’s Dept.
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Pinal County Animal Control
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Pinal County Attorney’s Office
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Pima County Victim Witness Program
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Quality Animal Care Clinic
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Sahaurita Police Dept.
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South Tucson Police Dept.
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Southern Arizona Veterinary Medical Association
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Southwest Veterinary Specialists
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Strengthening the Circle Program
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Tortillita Veterinary Services
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Tucson Fire Department
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Tucson Police Dept.
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University of Arizona Police Dept.
- Valley Animal Hospital
ARE ACT MEMBERS PAID FOR THEIR SERVICE?
No, all ACT members are volunteers.
CAN LAYPEOPLE JOIN ACT?
ACT does not accept laypeople as members, but if you are a professional working in the fields of law enforcement, criminal justice, animal control, veterinary medicine, emergency services or animal protection in southern Arizona, you are invited to contact us about membership.
IF I AM FROM A QUALIFYING ORGANIZATION, HOW TO I APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Send a cover letter and current resume to Jami McDowell, c/o Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85716. Your cover letter should explain your interest in membership and disclose any affiliations you have with animal rights groups or other political organizations that deal with animal issues. A panel of current ACT members will review new or unsolicited applications for their appropriateness. Applicants will be contacted by phone or mail as to the acceptance of their application.
ARE ACT MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
No. Because ACT members may deal with current or on-going animal cruelty cases, all meetings are considered CLOSED AND CONFIDENTIAL. If a member of the public has information or concerns they would like to bring to ACT’s attention, they are welcome to address this by contacting the ACT officers or members.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACT AND ITS WORK?
ACT publicizes its educational programs, community initiatives, training seminars, resources and more through the media, direct mailings, personal contacts, professional organizations and more. Perhaps the best way of obtaining current information is by visiting the ACT website at www.act-az.org
WILL ACT PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, SCHOOL GROUP, CHURCH GROUP OR OTHER ORGANIZATION?
Yes, if ACT members are available. Regular outreach programs on the subject of animal cruelty are available through the following organizations:
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Humane Society of Southern Arizona: (520) 321-3704, Ext. 125 or 141
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Pima Animal Control Center, Docent Program: (520) 743-7550
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Tucson Police Department’s School Resource Office: (520) 791-4499, Ext. 1801
WILL ACT ACCEPT DONATIONS?
Of course. Funds for ACT are administered by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona so all donations are tax-deductible. Contributions should be mailed to Humane Society of Southern Arizona, ATTN: Animal Cruelty Taskforce, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd., Tucson, Arizona. 85716. Please make checks payable to the Humane Society and write “ACT” in the memo area. 100% of donations are used to enhance enforcement or provide public education on the subject of animal cruelty.
WHAT IS ACT’s CONTACT INFORMATION?
Mailing Address:
Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona
C/o Humane Society of Southern Arizona
3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85716
FAX: (520) 325-7190
EMAIL: webmaster@act-az.org
INTERNET: www.act-az.org
2003 Officers:
Detective Mike Duffey, Co-Chair
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
1750 E. Benson Highway
Tucson, Arizona 85714
(520) 741-4751
FAX: (520) 741-4886
Email: mduffey@pcsd.co.pima.az.us
Kathi Mayer, Co-Chair
Pima County Attorney’s Office
32 N. Stone, #1400
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(520) 740-5671
FAX: (520) 740-5548
Email: kmayer@pcao.co.pima.az.us
Jami McDowell, Secretary
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(520) 321-3704, Ext. 141
FAX: (520) 325-7190
Email: jmcdowell@humane-so-arizona.org
Marsh Myers, Public Information Officer
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(520) 321-3704, Ext. 125
FAX: (520) 325-7190
Email: mmyers@humane-so-arizona.org
Courtesy of
HSSAZ
3450 N Kelvin Blvd
Tucson, Arizona 85716
Shelter Phone: (520) 327-6088
EMAIL
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