August 2016 Newsletter: A New Time Capsule, Animal Cruelty Prosecution Program and more...

August 2016

Volume 1, Issue 5

Dear Friends:

Last month, I had the honor of being a part of history as a time capsule was sealed into the Hall of Justice.

Watch the video to your right for highlights from the event and read my full remarks on why this day was so special.

Spotlight: Animal Cruelty Prosecution Program

It’s hot! And when it is hot outside the number of crimes involving people leaving their pets in vehicles seems to rise with the temperature. That makes it the busy season for LADA’s 28 specially trained deputy district attorneys designated to prosecute animal cruelty cases.

LADA was the first local prosecutorial agency in the nation to assign a full-time veteran deputy district attorney to oversee the prosecution of cases involving the illegal and inhumane treatment of animals.

Last summer, the Animal Cruelty Prosecution Program trained mall security guards to be on the lookout for animals left in hot cars. This year, the office is co-sponsoring legislation to legally permit people to enter a vehicle to aid a pet in distress.

LADA reviews criminal charges in approximately 300 animal cruelty cases a year. Those numbers have increased over the years as the office has put more emphasis on educating the public about the seriousness of these crimes and training law enforcement personnel on how to investigate an animal cruelty allegation and build a criminal case.

Owners can be prosecuted for failing to properly feed and care for their animals or for staging animal fights. They also can face criminal charges if their animal injures or kills a person. State law also prohibits the injuring or killing of animals.

Cruelty to animals can progress into cruelty to human beings, according to research.

“By aggressively prosecuting animal cruelty cases and stopping this criminal behavior at an early stage, we may be saving a human life down the line,” said Deborah Knaan, the office’s animal cruelty case coordinator.

Animal Cruelty Quiz

1. California law requires that you take your animal to a veterinarian when it is sick or injured.

True or False

2. Failure to groom your dog or cat could result in animal neglect or animal cruelty charges.

True or False

3. Under state law, you may not tie a dog to a stationary object for longer than:

a. 3 continuous hours

b. 8 continuous hours

c. 24 continuous hours

d. There is no time limit.

4. What animals are NOT protected by animal cruelty laws?

a. Dogs, cats and rabbits

b. Rats, opossums and snakes

c. Goats, pigs and chickens

d. Animal welfare laws protect all animals, regardless of species.

5. Leaving an animal in a car on a warm day is legal if the car is in the shade and a window is cracked.

True or False

Scroll to the bottom for the answers!

Fraud Alert

Significant Cases

People often list their cell phone numbers as the best way for banks and other businesses to contact them. However, thieves have become adept at taking over mobile phone accounts without their owners’ consent or knowledge.

Read the fraud alert to see how you can avoid falling for this scam.

An inmate was convicted in the 44-year-old murder of an elderly Los Angeles woman. Learn more about how the cold case was solved.
A Mission Hills man was sentenced in connection with the deaths of three people while he was driving under the influence of marijuana and benzodiazepine. Read more about his punishment.
A Tarzana man’s alleged efforts to sell illegal fireworks near a gas station forced the partial closure of the Golden State Freeway on July 3. Find out what charges he faces.

D.A. Lacey’s Leadership Recognized

District Attorney Jackie Lacey has been presented with the Best Practice Award from the state Council on Mentally Ill Offenders (COMIO) for her efforts to develop a system that diverts certain offenders who are living with mental illness from incarceration.

“Your work exemplifies dedication to program excellence, outstanding criminal justice leadership and commitment to further the use of best practices to achieve wellness in the community,” said Scott Kernan, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and chair of COMIO.

Los Angeles County’s efforts serve as “a model for the rest of the state,” Kernan added, while presenting the award during a COMIO site visit to Los Angeles County on July 20.

“I am pleased that COMIO recognized the hard work of this county’s Mental Health Advisory Board, which developed the first comprehensive plan to change the way the criminal justice system addresses people living with mental illness,” District Attorney Lacey said, referring to the board’s report, “A Blueprint for Change.”

“This is an important public safety issue,” District Attorney Lacey said. “My office has begun training local law enforcement officers on how to safely de-escalate incidents involving people living with mental illness. It is the first major step in trying to reduce the number of nonviolent inmates who enter the criminal justice system as a result of behavior caused by their mental illness.”

Did You Know...?

Nearly 500 volunteers worked in the District Attorney’s Office this summer. They assisted prosecutors in research and court preparation. Most are law students. Some are law school graduates awaiting bar exam results. A few are high school students seeking to learn more about legal careers.

Find out how to volunteer at http://da.lacounty.gov/contact/volunteer.

Animal Cruelty Quiz Answers

1. True 2. True 3. A 4. D 5. False

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office | (213) 974-3512 | info@da.lacounty.gov

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