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Humane Law Enforcement

January 18th, 2019

Humane Law Enforcement Quick Facts

 

Rescue Village is a leading animal welfare organization in Northeast Ohio. The Rescue Village Team (including the Board of Trustees, donors, volunteers and staff) helps animals who need to be rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed. We provide proper medical care, food and a loving home at Rescue Village until a forever home is found. Humans and animals have lived together as companions throughout history. Most of the time, this relationship is mutually respectful and rewarding but, unfortunately, not everyone properly cares for their animals. Here is what Rescue Village does to help animals who may be suffering gravely from cruelty or neglect from a human.

 

Humane Law Enforcement

  • A vital part of Rescue Village’s mission is to investigate reported cases of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect. These reports are made by other caring members of our community.
  • Governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, Rescue Village is the designated agency in Geauga County responsible to look into every report of alleged animal abuse and to enforce Ohio Humane Law Statutes. Rescue Village does not receive government funding for this service and, thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, has saved Geauga County more than $2 million in the last decade.
  • To fulfill this part of its mission, Rescue Village has a Humane Law Enforcement Department led by Chief Humane Agent Christian Courtwright. Christian and his small team of agents are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and work 365 days a year. They are some of the most dedicated, reliable and caring people in our community.

The Humane Agent

  • A humane agent is a first responder for domestic animals and, as such, receives intensive government-based training, is certified by the State of Ohio and the appointment of the humane agent is approved by the Geauga County Probate Court. Training classes include ethics and professionalism, legal issues, investigations, animal husbandry, animal health and wellness and report writing.
  • About 75% of a humane agent’s job is responding to reports of animal cruelty and neglect. The agent enforces State of Ohio animal cruelty laws and, when necessary, assists in prosecution of offenders. The Agent honors due process law and follows careful legal steps when it is necessary to safely remove an animal (or animals) from a home.
  • Equally important, an agent spends the other half of his or her time educating people about the humane treatment and care of animals and offering practical assistance. When needed and/or mandated by state law, the agent also involves social services to assist the owners.

The Humane Agent’s Process for Investigating a Reported Case of Animal Abuse

  • When Rescue Village receives a complaint from a member of the Geauga County community via our emergency line 440-338-4819 41 or the online form at rescuevillage.org,  it is assigned to one of our humane agents.
  • Within 24 hours, an agent attempts to contact the resident on their property, either in the yard or by knocking on an entry door.
  • If the agent is unable to make initial contact, he or she will leave a note letting the resident know that they stopped by with a number to call for follow-up.
  • If the resident is on property, the agent introduces him or herself, explains the service they provide to the community, briefly explains the complaint and states that they need to check on the animal(s).
  • The agent assesses the animal’s condition, fills out a report and may take pictures. If necessary, an agent can obtain a search warrant from a magistrate or judge.
  • If it is determined that an animal’s life is in danger, the agent may safely remove the animal(s) from the property to receive emergency care at Rescue Village.
  • If the investigation and evidence show violations of the law, extreme cruelty and neglect, failure to communicate and cooperate, the Agent, in consultation with humane society leadership and a prosecutor, may choose to bring charges against the owner(s).

The Humane Agent’s Work Informing the Public about Humane Treatment and Care of Animals

  • Through Rescue Village’s educational programs, we are a source of expert information and support, as well as a driving force behind creating a more humane world, for animals in Geauga County.
  • Our Humane Education Department provides a variety of programs and events for community members. We host tours of Rescue Village, visits from schools, are guest speakers at community group meetings and have information tables at community events. We invite you to learn more and take advantage of these opportunities and more by visiting rescuevillage.org. 

To Report a Suspected Case of Animal Abuse and Neglect:

Animals cannot speak for themselves. They rely on human beings who care about their well-being. Together, we can create a more humane world one human, one animal at a time.

Humane Law Enforcement

All You Have to Be is Humane.

October 16th, 2018

All You Have to Be is Humane.

 

The RV barn program, headquartered at Billie’s Barn (named after major funder Billie Howland Steffee), has saved 65 horses since 2005 when the barn was built. While we provide education and assistance to owners, our court certified humane agent has the authority, with a court issued warrant, to take animals into our protective custody if laws have been broken and, without intervention, they are acutely suffering or in danger of dying.

This is difficult work. It is not a given that a starving horse, for example, can be saved. But Rescue Village is willing to spend thousands of dollars (that will never be made up by adoption fees) on their care, rehabilitation, and rehoming. We are required to enforce the law and we believe all animals deserve our moral concern.

Rockette at intake

Geauga County is a center for the horse industry in Ohio. It is not surprising that, while most horse owners take decent care of their equines, there are a few owners who allow their horses to dangerously decline in health and well-being. Rescue Village works closely with qualified veterinarians to make medical evaluations. In fact, we encourage owners who are unable to properly care for their horses to contact Rescue Village for assistance before the situation becomes critical.

The myth that humane societies, like Rescue Village, save horses in order to sell them at a profit could not be farther from the truth. Rescue Village picks up the entire cost of humane law enforcement in Geauga County – we receive no government funding. We enforce the laws pertaining to dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals. The barn program exists to carry out this responsibility. You can imagine the heartbreak when a normally 1,100 pound horse comes to us weighing 800 pounds.

It takes months to successfully bring an abused or neglected horse back to health and even more time to rehabilitate and rehome them. Community members who donate to or volunteer with the barn

program get tremendous satisfaction helping to bring dignity, better health, and safety to these animals. This, not financial gain, is the reward. Watching a horse regain his/her health, “brightness,” spirit, trust, playfulness, and movement is worth every dollar we spend. The cost of the RV barn program is approximately $120,000 annually. In 2017, we received $2,500 in adoption fees for all barn animals.

The RV barn program is a friend to the people, horses, and farm animals of Geauga County. This service continues with the support of the community. Ending cruelty and neglect – it is the law AND it is the right thing to do! We (and, most importantly, they) thank you. ■

Rockette after months of care at Rescue Village