Prosecuting animal crimes in the US

Michelle Welch

Chapter 92 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Animal Law, 2025, pp 352-355 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Prosecuting animal crimes presents a unique opportunity to seek justice on behalf of animal victims. Like many child victims, animal victims can’t tell us what crimes have been done to them; thus, we often must rely on circumstantial evidence to prove cases, and expert veterinary testimony is the lynchpin to telling the story of what happened to the animal. These cases deserve the attention of the prosecutor not only to vindicate the animals’ interests but also because perpetrators of animal crimes are often perpetrators of other violent and serious crimes against humans. In fact, we often see cases of animal cruelty also include charges of other serious felonies. The case starts with a law enforcement officer, then proceeds to a prosecutor's investigation, the seizure hearing, and ultimately the criminal trial and sentencing.

Keywords: Prosecution; Animal; Expert; Veterinarian; Animal Control Officer; Penalties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923666
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