An Encore — Cruelty Investigation Workshop in Sullivan County

Sullivan DA James R. Farrell, ACO and CARE founder Joanne Gerow, and NYSHA speaker Dr. Harry Hovel. — Sullivan DA James R. Farrell, ACO and CARE founder Joanne Gerow, and NYSHA speaker Dr. Harry Hovel at NYSHA’s May workshop in Swan Lake.

NYSHA has held workshops in Sullivan County before and returned once more at the request of several individuals interested in having police agencies throughout the county learn the nuts and bolts of investigating animal cruelty. Numerous agencies were represented at the May workshop at the Emergency Training Center in Swan Lake. Along with NYSHA’s experienced roster of speakers, District Attorney James R. Farrell did an excellent presentation on how to make the best case possible when handling animal cruelty. Attendees told NYSHA representative how much they appreciated the training.

In June, NYSHA again supported Little Brook Farm (B.I.T.S.) in Old Chatham in its first rate, yearly training workshop on investigating equine neglect. MYSHA’s speaker, retired NYS Police Investigator Susan McDonough, teamed up with Dr. Steve Naile, veterinarian, to train police and others on how to recognize neglect and abuse in equines. In addition, Little Brook staffers gave the attendees an opportunity for hands-on contact with various rescued horses so they would feel more confident when dealing with such large animals. NYSHA has supported this worthwhile training for several years and believes it is making a difference in the ability of police to respond to horse neglect complaints.

Because of the success of the Little Brook Farm workshop, NYSHA plans to reproduce this training module in September in Essex County, working with Dr. Naile, the Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

New York State Humane Association Humane Review, Vol.XXXIV, Fall 2019.