The Marin Humane Society

Humane Officers Help fight Child Abuse

Animal control officers have now joined child welfare professionals in an effort to protect children. Officially designated "mandated reporters" last year, humane officers, often the first law enforcement officials to enter a home during cases of suspected animal cruelty, have the unique opportunity to witness and report suspected child endangerment or cruelty.

"Unfortunately, cases involving cruelty to animals sometimes lead to a case of child abuse, or endangerment, as well," says Cindy Machado, field services supervisor for The Marin Humane Society. "People who abuse animals may also act out on other family members," she says. In animal neglect cases, youngsters can be the "other" innocent victims living in substandard conditions without proper care and nutrition.

In the past, humane officers conducting animal cruelty investigations have referred suspected cases of domestic abuse to child welfare professionals. But it has only been in the last five years that law enforcement agencies have seriously involved humane societies in their criminal investigations. Today, when a humane society officer obtains a search warrant, that officer is required to collect evidence on the mistreatment of "every" living being on the premises and to report any suspected child or spousal abuse to the proper authorities, such as Child Protective Services.

"We have been very successful in collaborating with law enforcement and protection agencies," says Machado. "Our expertise in animal welfare enables them to better assess possible dangers for children in the home," she says. These dangers may include evidence of abusive behavior, poisonous species living on the premises, or contagious zoonotic diseases associated with multiple animals confined in a small living area.

Humane officers now receive additional training on what to look for and how to report such incidents. The California Humane Officer's Training Academy held annually at The Marin Humane Society, has expanded its curricula to include a workshop on how to document and report suspected child abuse. Recently, the MHS participated in the production of a special training video produced by the State Attorney General's office. In the video, which will be distributed to all mandated reporters -- from peace officers to child care workers -- Machado talks about the importance of reporting suspected abuse in the home and the interrelatedness of child and animal abuse. The video will be distributed to humane officers throughout the state.

"It's our goal to create another resource to help fight child and spousal abuse," says Nancy Lyons, crime prevention specialist for the state of California. We have to utilize every avenue we can that may help detect, and deal with the problem. The participation of animal welfare professionals is a good thing, a step in the right direction that may actually save lives.