SUFFOLK COUNTY (NY) A new law enforcement unit was established to combat the prosecution of animal-related crimes. Investigators will meet with victims of animal cruelty and help to fund environmental projects on Long Island as part of a pro bono initiative initiated by Ray Tierney, Suffolk District Attorney.
The Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, known as the BEAST Team, will consist of a team leader, nine prosecutors and one support staff member. They will work with law enforcement counterparts at local and county levels. Tierney’s office stated that the team will be responsible for all violations of state laws protecting animals or the environment.
Assistant District Attorney Jed Painter will lead the team. He is a former Nassau County prosecutor and was the chief of animal crime for 11 years. Painter is the cochair of the Animal Crimes Committee of the State District Attorneys’ Association. He has also been awarded the prestigious Prosecutor of the Year Award by the New York Prosecutors Training Institute. His work in animal crime prevention has earned him the Humane Law Enforcement Award of the National Sheriffs Association as well as the Humane Society of the United States.
The BEAST team ADAs collect all registry orders and protective orders relating animals. They coordinate periodic compliance checks and prosecute resulting offenses. In environmental prosecutions, they will coordinate with the court and outside agencies to create a community service program focusing on beach clean-up, trail clean-up, and other environmentally-restorative projects. The team will also require ADAs to be available for field guidance and warrants.
The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has met with the BEAST team, and shelter leaders. Members are meeting with non-profit shelters and municipalities around the island.
In-house training is not the only option. BEAST ADAs also have special training with the state’s Animal Protection Federation, and ASPCA at Albany’s state police academy.
Tierney announced that Tierney has hired an animal crime detective, who is from the New York Police Department’s animal cruelty investigation team. Tierney’s office said Tierney will detail the animal and environmental investigators to BEAST “for more centralized and consistent enforcement throughout Long Island.”
Tania Lopez, DA spokeswoman said that the BEAST Team is multi-disciplinary with multiple shareholders, including Suffolk Police and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Lopez stated that the DA’s office will work with anyone who makes arrests for offenses against animals or the environment in Suffolk.
Tierney stated that he was proud of the initiative and noted that animal abuse will not tolerated. Anyone charged with environmental offenses would be prosecuted to their full extent.
“We have one our strongest legal advocates for animals, the environment and he’s going make sure no case slips through the cracks,” he said.
Chief Roy Gross of the SPCA called the BEAST Team a great initiative. He said that the agency would collaborate with its members.
He said, “Anything we could do and support will be there 100%.”
Libby Post is the executive director for the state’s Animal Protection Federation. She said Tierney made a “unique step forward” in combating animal abuse in Suffolk County.
“We need more district attorney to take animal crimes seriously and the creation of the Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team, which has an apt acronym of BEAT, will show other DAs in New York what they could do,” she said. We know that crimes against animal are gateway crimes that often include domestic violence. It is vital that we take animal crimes seriously for our companion animals as well as the people who care about them.
Joanne Yohannan (senior vice president of operations, North Shore Animal League America) said that any mandate that maintains the prosecution in animal crime cases connected to their victim as well the shelter staff while the case pending should be applauded.
She said, “We know all too well the impact and toll these instances take on an entire animal welfare organisation and the importance of staying connected.”
Brian Shapiro, the state director of the Humane Society of the United States, stated that the county’s communities would benefit from “increased prosecution of illegal animal cruelty.”
He said that animal crimes are often connected to drugs, guns and domestic violence. “We applaud D.A. Tierney has established the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, which will support animal protection in the county.
Suffolk residents can contact BEAST directly at [email protected]. In case of emergency, 911 should be called.