Investigating Animal Cruelty 61 Executing a largescale seizure This section assumes you have a search warrant in hand. Prior to arriving on scene: planning the rescue Cases involving large numbers of animals require a great deal of planning and coordination. Prior to initiating an enforcement action and animal rescue effort, the following actions are recommended: 1. Contact the animal control agency or a reputable local humane society to determine capacity for holding animals. Given the limited space of any shelter, it may be necessary to contact shelters outside the area to secure housing for all of the seized animals. This may require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between jurisdictions if more than one county is involved. You should also consider executing a written agreement with all parties involved so roles and responsibilities are clear (see the sample Evidence collection SOP job description chart in Appendix IV). If it becomes necessary to impound a portion of the animals on the property, determine which agency is willing to assume the duty of directing and monitoring the care of the animals until the case is adjudicated. Active monitoring of animals impounded on the premises will require a court order. 2. Contact the appropriate agencies to form a rescue team (e.g. veterinarians, animal control or humane society staff). If necessary, consider contacting other expert witnesses who might be helpful, such as bird or wildlife experts. In some cases, you might need officials from code enforcement, the fire department, health and human services, or adult/child protective services. If you suspect that any air or water pollution is involved, consider contacting the appropriate environmental agencies. Keep information confidential and instruct all involved not to discuss the case with nonessential personnel beforehand. Individuals who operate puppy mills or collect animals often belong to a network of sympathetic or like-minded individuals who will mobilize to remove and hide animals if talk of a rescue effort leaks. 3. Ask the animal control agency or humane society to bring a sufficient supply of collars, tags, cameras, animal carriers and items necessary to identify animals (e.g. white boards/dry-erase markers or ID cards/black markers). The team that will handle the animals should bring field equipment (e.g. leashes, carriers, transport, halters, etc.) and prepare an evidence kit (see Appendix IV: Evidence kit inventory) to have on scene. 4. Have an adequate supply of Animal Medical Record forms, Animal Surrender forms, and Agreement from Initiating to Cooperating Organization forms at the scene. Refer to Appendix IV: Sample forms and supplies list for a complete list of equipment and supplies for animal rescue operations and masters of the documents. 5. Advise the ADA of your plans and ask that he/she review your search warrant for sufficiency. Ensure that the ADA is willing to prosecute the case. 7. Apply for a search warrant once you have confirmed a date. Specify all the buildings on the property you intend to enter. 8. Designate specific people for all key responsibilities on scene. Create and publish an ICS chart (see Appendix IV: Sample ICS chart and job descriptions). Executing a large-scale seizure
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