Impact of Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs on Connecticut Animal Cruelty

Prosecuting animal cruelty cases in United States courtrooms has long been a complex matter. The process from a suspect’s arrest or citation to case resolution has often given the impression of being a hit and miss prosecution, resulting in animal victims falling between the cracks and defendants facing unsuitable sentencing. In recent years, greater attention has been paid to animal cruelty victims, due in large part to research into the link between animal cruelty, domestic violence, children abuse and elder abuse. Rather than focus on the causes of underprosecution, the proposed presentation evaluates an innovative solution in Connecticut known as the Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (‘CAAP’). Introduced to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2013 by former Representative Diana Urban (Ret.), the program initially sought to protect all animals (companion and wildlife) who had suffered from violence or neglect. However, the bill was later amended to focus on dogs and cats. Following the 2016 passage of legislation colloquially known as ‘Desmond’s Law’, a program was established with the assistance of Professor Jennifer Rubin from the University of Connecticut School of Law and members of a newly formed group called ‘Desmond’s Army’. This program has enabled volunteer lawyers and students appointed by judges to assist in the prosecution process. Propelled by a tragic case involving the killing of a pet dog named Desmond – one that resulted in a minimal penalty -- the duties of the appointed volunteers have increasingly expanded to include document and evidence preparation, research, case analysis, witness interviews, and support for law enforcement, the courtroom workgroup, and the animal victim (the latter through sheltering services and rehoming). Evolving since 2016, the program has offered not only a new direction for prosecuting animal cruelty and neglect cases but has also increased insight into issues of animal speciesism and sentience. As with any new program, CAAPs have encountered both accolades and criticism. A model similar to CAAP has been legislated in the state of Maine (‘Franky’s Law’), while the state of New Jersey recently instituted a comparable pilot program. Efforts to introduce Courtroom Animal Advocate Programs in other states are currently a work in progress. The presentation will cover the history of CAAPs, beginning with foundational facts, visionaries and legislative processes and will then proceed to discuss Desmond’s Army and the interaction of the courtroom animal advocates with other law enforcement and courtroom participants. Specifics of cases, statistics, a critical review of CAAP, and the programs’ future direction will be provided.