Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP)
Quarterly Newsletter: Summer 2022
Each quarter, the Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) newsletter will include key updates and announcements related to the program, statistics on regulatory actions and investigations led by BAP agents and CDA BAP program staff, examples of key cases, and an article summarizing policy or scientific topics of relevance to the BAP program. 

This newsletter includes statistics, updates, and announcements from Summer 2022 (June 1 - August 31, 2022).
BAP Updates and Announcements
BAP Hires a New Lead Veterinarian
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Claire Vaiden recently started as the BAP Lead Veterinarian.

Dr. Vaiden graduated veterinary school in 2014 from University of Florida. Her passion for animal welfare and veterinary forensics began with her first position as a veterinarian practicing at a low-cost clinic in rural North Carolina. Following her move to Colorado, she transitioned from private practice to shelter medicine in 2019.

She spent 3 years serving her community at a municipal shelter on the Front Range where she treated injured and sick stray animals in addition to providing her expertise for animal cruelty and neglect cases. This experience motivated Dr. Vaiden to pursue additional education in the field of veterinary forensics, and she recently completed a graduate certification in the subject.

Dr. Vaiden is excited to bring her knowledge and passion to the Bureau of Animal Protection to further the agency’s mission and contribute to the advancement of animal welfare in Colorado.
BAP Winter 2023 Conference: February 2-3, 2023
The BAP will host its inaugural annual conference on addressing animal cruelty and mistreatment.

SAVE THE DATE:
Thursday, February 2 (9 am - 5 pm) & Friday, February 3 (8 am - 5 pm), 2023
at CSU SPUR Campus, 4817 National Western Dr., Denver, CO.

The conference is designed to provide training for law enforcement, current BAP agents, and individuals working for municipalities, law enforcement, and non-profit organizations interested in becoming BAP agents.

The conference will include a keynote address, presentations on new animal protection initiatives in Colorado, and hands-on training from the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Humane Society.

Topics covered will include: 
  • Evidence collection best practices
  • Body condition scoring and safe animal handling techniques
  • Housing, care, and transport of impounded or relinquished animals
  • Coordinating with BAP and PACFA on investigations
  • The link between human and animal mistreatment and other root causes. 

The full agenda, registration information, and other meeting details will be available soon.

This conference counts towards continued education for existing BAP agents as well as the training required to become a BAP agent.
BAP Subcommittee Updates
In Spring 2022, BAP formed subcommittees of stakeholders and BAP agents who collaboratively develop initiatives related to four components of the BAP three-year strategic plan.

The subcommittees met during Summer 2022. Below are brief updates on the work of each subcommittee.  
Subcommittee #1: Statistics reporting on animal mistreatment and neglect
Gathering comprehensive statistics helps us better understand the scope and disposition of complaints that agents address. Agents may complete this form when they have closed a case that involved using their BAP authority as outlined in Title 35 Article 42. 

Subcommittee #2: Training for law enforcement, district attorneys, and prosecutors
This subcommittee developed a two-page informational document and an outreach plan for law enforcement on addressing animal cruelty and neglect cases and coordinating with the BAP. One of the goals of the outreach plan is collaborating with local law enforcement on providing regional trainings for officers. 
Subcommittee #3: Streamlining and updating BAP agent applications, training, communication, and re-certification processes
This subcommittee helped plan the BAP annual conference and is currently focused on updating BAP agent applications and re-certification processes, including the rule review process as described below. 

Subcommittee # 4) Conducting public outreach on animal neglect and species-specific, animal care practices: This subcommittee developed an educational page on our website that highlights various industry resources related to species-specific, accepted animal care practices. Conducting outreach on good husbandry practices to the public and to backyard livestock owners is a goal in the BAP strategic plan. In addition, we developed a separate page on recognizing signs of animal mistreatment. BAP staff and the subcommittee will continue to develop an outreach plan on these topics.  
BAP Rule Review
This fall, BAP will be undertaking a rule review process. This process will involve hosting focus groups of BAP agents and stakeholders on proposed rule changes and sharing and getting feedback on proposed rule changes at the Quarterly Stakeholder Task Force meetings.

This fall’s rule review will focus on streamlining and updating BAP agent applications, training, re-certification, and statistical reporting processes.

Any rule updates will be posted on the "Legislation, Laws, Regulations and Rule Hearings" page on the CDA website. We will also announce any meetings in future email communications.
Key Cases and Media Coverage
Each quarter, we highlight a few significant cases where CDA BAP staff and/or BAP agents addressed cases of animal mistreatment. Below are some cases from Summer 2022 (June 1 - August 31):
BAP Staff Collaborate with Weld County on Large Scale Relinquishment of Livestock
 In June, 2022, BAP staff collaborated with Weld County Animal Control Officers and deputies on a large-scale relinquishment of livestock.

Many of the pigs and sheep on the property were determined to be in a situation of neglect by the animal control officers, the BAP investigator, and a CDA veterinarian, as indicated by poor body condition, dermatitis and a lack of access to fresh water.

The owner relinquished 67 pigs and 5 sheep to the BAP, which BAP and animal control officers removed and transported to Centennial Livestock, with the help of local ranchers and community volunteers. 
Relinquishment of Horses and Birds in Elbert County
Colorado Humane Society (CHS) BAP agents assisted Elbert County Sheriff’s Office on a case of potential horse neglect that resulted in owner relinquishment of 80 horses to the Dumb Friends League's Equine Center.

The horses belonged to a private owner and were in need of immediate care due to severe physical injuries, respiratory infections and seeping wounds.

CDA BAP staff assisted with transport of the horses and are continuing an investigation on the property. The owner also relinquished 131 fowl to the BAP in two separate locations. CDA BAP staff removed the birds and transported them to Southern Colorado Livestock.
Quarterly BAP Statistics
For each newsletter, we will provide a summary of two types of statistics from that quarter:
  1. the numbers and types of cases and actions taken by CDA BAP program staff in response to complaints and requests for assistance filed directly to the CDA BAP program;
  2. the numbers and types of cases and actions taken by commissioned BAP agents (submitted each month by a representative from each agency).
Outreach Topic of the Quarter:
Addressing Abandoned Livestock at Large
For each quarterly newsletter, we will include a brief outreach article on a key topic related to the work that the BAP does.

This quarter’s article focuses on addressing abandoned livestock at large.





305 Interlocken Parkway
Broomfield, CO 80021
303-869-9282