Niemiec Rebecca, Kogan Lori R
CSU Animal-Human Policy Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Clinical Sciences Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Dec 13;14(24):3602. doi: 10.3390/ani14243602.
Animal cruelty is widespread, yet it is often overlooked by professionals as a form of trauma and not perceived as a serious crime. This study explores current challenges to the effective management of animal abuse and neglect cases in the state of Colorado, USA, to better understand systemic barriers and their impact on those involved, and offers concrete, practical suggestions for improvement. Interviews with 24 law enforcement and Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) agents/staff were conducted, and an integrated thematic analysis method was utilized to inductively analyze participants' responses to interview questions. The most common barriers to addressing animal cruelty cases identified by law enforcement/BAP personnel included (1) a lack of places to take removed animals and resources to care for them; (2) challenges working with the district attorney's office; (3) a general lack of knowledge and training on how to address cases and the documentation required; and (4) insufficient enforcement personnel to conduct investigations and conduct required follow-up. Suggested changes include expansion of temporary housing options, additional training, expert investigators and social workers/mental health professionals, and possible amendments to state statutes. In addition, the use of a trauma-informed model is recommended to best meet the psychological needs of all those involved in animal welfare work.
虐待动物的现象很普遍，但专业人士常常忽视它是一种创伤形式，也不将其视为严重犯罪。本研究探讨了美国科罗拉多州在有效管理虐待和忽视动物案件方面当前面临的挑战，以更好地理解系统性障碍及其对相关人员的影响，并提出具体、切实可行的改进建议。研究人员对24名执法人员和动物保护局（BAP）的特工/工作人员进行了访谈，并采用综合主题分析方法归纳分析参与者对访谈问题的回答。执法人员/BAP人员确定的处理虐待动物案件最常见的障碍包括：（1）缺乏收留被带走动物的场所和照顾它们的资源；（2）与地方检察官办公室合作存在困难；（3）普遍缺乏处理案件及所需文件的知识和培训；（4）进行调查和所需后续跟进的执法人员不足。建议的改进措施包括扩大临时住房选择、增加培训、配备专家调查员和社会工作者/心理健康专业人员，以及可能对州法规进行修订。此外，建议采用创伤知情模式，以最好地满足所有参与动物福利工作的人员的心理需求。
