Animal Humane Society and Board discuss enforcement partnerships and welfare investigations
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Summary
Animal Humane Society investigators described coordinated welfare investigations, prosecution support, and rescue/seizure operations; Board staff said coordination with law enforcement improves outcomes but capacity is limited.
Representatives from the Animal Humane Society (AHS) detailed their state‑level welfare investigations and enforcement assistance to local law enforcement and prosecutors.
Amber Zickoudis, an AHS investigations agent, described the unit’s role in supporting cruelty and neglect prosecutions, stating, “I do all the state statutory enforcement,” and described working with law enforcement on large‑scale seizures and evidence collection. Lynn Hagen, AHS director of humane welfare, highlighted the shelter’s role in intake, placement and coordination with partner rescues when cases exceed local capacity.
Board staff emphasized the cooperative relationship: unannounced inspections, civil‑standby with local sheriffs when safety is a concern, and the value of written evidence and formal letters from the Board to support prosecutions. Both AHS and the Board noted staffing constraints across counties and urged continued interagency communication to improve detection and prosecution of serious welfare violations.
The presenters encouraged reporting by neighbors and partners and described follow‑up inspections and correction orders for regulated breeders; many issues arise from lack of awareness of licensing requirements, they said.