The lead post in the January 16, 2018 NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly references information on a new national directory of agencies that investigate animal abuse. The directory represents more than 6,500 counties, cities and towns across the U. S. and identifies which agency follows up on reports of suspected animal cruelty, abuse and neglect, according to a release from the National Link coalition. The directory was created in response to laws in 36 states, as well as policies from the AVMA and AAHA, that either require or permit veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty.
Source: DVM 360, January 9, 2018 via NAVTA.
Veterinarians who want to report suspected animal abuse often encounter a bureaucratic runaround,” says coalition coordinator Phil Arkow. “Unlike the simplified statewide hotlines for child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse, the animal protection field is extremely fragmented with no national or statewide coordination of services.”