About this Event
*Joining link will be sent closer to the event!
Prosecuting animal cruelty cases in United States courtrooms has long been a complex matter. The process from a suspect’s arrest or citation to case resolution has often given the impression of being a hit and miss prosecution, resulting in animal victims falling between the cracks and defendants facing unsuitable sentencing. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to animal cruelty victims, due in large part to research into the link between animal cruelty, domestic violence, children abuse and elder abuse.
Rather than focus on the causes of underprosecution, the proposed presentation evaluates an innovative solution in Connecticut known as the Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (‘CAAP’). Introduced to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2013 by former Representative Diana Urban (Ret.), the program initially sought to protect all animals (companion and wildlife) who had suffered from violence or neglect. However, the bill was later amended to focus on dogs and cats. Following the 2016 passage of legislation colloquially known as ‘Desmond’s Law’, a program was established with the assistance of Professor Jennifer Rubin from the University of Connecticut School of Law and members of a newly formed group called ‘Desmond’s Army’. This program has enabled volunteer lawyers and students appointed by judges to assist in the prosecution process. Propelled by a tragic case involving the killing of a pet dog named Desmond – one that resulted in a minimal penalty -- the duties of the appointed volunteers have increasingly expanded to include document and evidence preparation, research, case analysis, witness interviews, and support for law enforcement, the courtroom workgroup, and the animal victim (the latter through sheltering services and rehoming).
Evolving since 2016, the program has offered not only a new direction for prosecuting animal cruelty and neglect cases but has also increased insight into issues of animal speciesism and sentience. As with any new program, CAAPs have encountered both accolades and criticism. A model similar to CAAP has been legislated in the state of Maine (‘Franky’s Law’), while the state of New Jersey recently instituted a comparable pilot program. Efforts to introduce Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs in other states are currently a work in progress.
The presentation will cover the history of CAAPs, beginning with foundational facts, visionaries and legislative processes and will then proceed to discuss Desmond’s Army and the interaction of the courtroom animal advocates with other law enforcement and courtroom participants. Specifics of cases, statistics, a critical review of CAAP, and the programs’ future direction will be provided.
Our speakers are:
Deborah Weinrauch, Esq.
Deborah Weinrauch has worked as a lawyer, prosecutor, court mediator, and law lecturer in England, the United States, and Israel. Currently, Deborah is a doctoral candidate at the University of Birmingham Law School where she is researching the intersection of speciesism, sentience, and courtroom animal advocate programs in animal cruelty prosecution in the United States.
Deborah is the Director of Friends of Culver City Animals n California, a grassroots organization focused on animal protection lobbying, networking, active rescue, and issues involving pets living with unhoused and senior residents. She has been the recipient of a Citizen’s Award for her community work. In Israel, Deborah has served as a legal consultant for an animal sanctuary engaged in efforts to build bridges between the Jewish and Arab communities through veterinary care and humane education.
In her free time, Deborah volunteers with the Humane Society of the United States as a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader.
Joyce Glass, Esq.
Joyce has practiced law for 26 years. For the last 12 years she has focused on education, legislation and enforcement issues surrounding companion animal cruelty. She has drafted legislation in New York including bills related to pet dealers, rescues, and dangerous dogs. Joyce co-founded Fund For Animal Cruelty Treatment of Suffolk (FACTS), which covers costs of care for animal cruelty victims whose cases are being prosecuted by the Suffolk County DA (www.factssaves.org). Joyce collaborated with Long Island Against Domestic Violence so they could be the first domestic violence shelter on Long Island to accept animals in 2018. Joyce is an attorney advocate under Desmond’s Law in Connecticut and is working to bring a Courtroom Attorney Advocate Program law to North Carolina.
Prior to focusing on animal cruelty, Joyce practiced bankruptcy law for 16 years and worked in Structured Finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Joyce holds a JD from Hofstra Law, an MBA in Tax and Finance from the Zarb School of Business and an LLM in Animal Law from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College.
Robin “Zilla” Cannamela
Zilla has managed the same privately owned horse training and boarding facility for the past 27 years. Focusing on partnership training from the ground up for all disciplines. From rescue to advocacy Zilla has been involved with animals nearly her entire life.
In 2012, Zilla became a member of “Justice for Desmond”, the group that influenced the making of Desmond’s Law. The group disbanded in 2013. In 2015, Zilla with the help of two others, reformed the organization as Desmond’s Army, and in 2018, she became co-founder and president of the grass roots 501(c)(3) animal advocacy organization known as Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates. Desmond’s Army has become nationally known and the recipient of multiple animal advocacy awards. (www.desmondsarmy.org)
Event Venue
Online
GBP 0.00
