A seminar on seeing signs of animal abuse
There's a pronounced link between animal cruelty and violence against humans, studies show.
That's just one reason Hanover Township Trustee Sandra Westlund-Deenihan says more people should be trained to spot possible signs of animal abuse like sawed-off teeth or open wounds.
To that end, Hanover Township and the Cook County sheriff are hosting a seminar Thursday -- the first in the suburbs -- on identifying possible cases of animal abuse.
The free event takes place 7 p.m. Thursday at the township senior center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Sheriff's deputy Larry Draus, who specializes in pet abuse cases, will be on hand.
Police, attorneys and judges have all attended the seminars, but the event's focus is to help train the public as volunteer court advocates with Chicago-based Dog Advisory Work Group, or DAWG. The seminars provide a crash course on animal-cruelty law.
Many police officers don't know how to enforce anti-cruelty law, and often offenders escape proper prosecution, said Cynthia Bathurst, DAWG's advocacy manager. One reason is some animal cruelty laws aren't listed within police codes but are filed under agricultural law, she said.
Bathurst has been holding seminars since December 2000 in Chicago. This is the first time the event will take place in the suburbs, she said, adding she plans more seminars close to other Cook County courthouses.
Advocates monitor animal cruelty cases in court, handing out fact sheets, making themselves available to the public and showing judges that their rulings are being watched.
"This is not just about dogs. This is not just about animals. This is about the way people live and what impact you have when abuse is going on," Bathurst said.
She said Chicago police conducted a three-year study of 300 criminals who have abused animals. She said that of those criminals, 70 percent have also faced battery charges against people.
"Neighborhood violence and cruelty take a lot of forms," Bathurst said.
She anticipates that more cruelty cases will be prosecuted as the public's awareness has been raised by cases, including the dog-fighting ring at former NFL quarterback Michael Vick's home and the Peotone woman who had 49 dogs seized from her.
"Animals have no voice," Westlund-Deenihan said. "They're victims and we really want to have advocates in the courthouse."
Animal cruelty seminar
What: Hanover Township Animal Cruelty Court Advocate Seminar
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Hanover Township Senior Center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett
Admission: Free; no registration required
Info: Call Sandra Westlund-Deenihan, (847) 781-8960