A lot of police professionals will disagree with my belief about law enforcement’s duty to prioritize animal abuse and neglect problems. They may justify their position by saying there is enough on their plates just dealing with felons.

But I believe animal abuse and neglect is a serious problem that too often leads to far more serious offenses like child abuse and other acts of violence against people.

That aside, animal abuse and neglect is just wrong! It turns my stomach.

So I began a unique animal abuse investigations unit consisting of deputies and volunteer posse members. Simultaneously, we began a phone hotline for citizens to report their suspicions of abuse or neglect. Since its conception, the unit has been busy.

When they go out on an abuse or neglect case, deputies have a clear order from me that abusers go directly to jail. Judges often release them hours later but I want abusers to experience some time in the jail. They must understand that their acts against animals are serious offenses for which they should be punished.

Sometimes people accuse me of treating animals better than inmates. I usually respond by saying the animals are victims and as such, deserve to be treated well. Inmates, on the other hand, have broken the law by victimizing others. They deserve to be treated humanely but not delicately.

We have taken several people into custody over the years and we have rescued untold numbers of horses, pigs, ducks, donkeys, goats, monkeys, turtles, birds and, of course, cats and dogs.

We house the pets in two places. Smaller animals go to the old First Avenue Jail that was closed to human housing because of infrastructural problems. Apparently the animals don’t mind being in jail like their human counterparts. In fact, I think they love it.  The building is air-conditioned and they are taken care of around the clock, 24/7 by female inmates who clean up after them, provide food and water, socialize them, train them where possible, and groom them as well.

Very generous animal lovers contribute money, food and supplies to this program all the time. In fact, we were even able to build a great dog park on the jail rooftop equipped with artificial grass, a few water hydrants for the male dogs and plenty of room for all to run and play.

The bigger animals go to a fenced arena adjacent to Tent City. They are also cared for by inmates - the males work this part of the Sheriff’s animal safe house project.

A few kind-hearted vets and vet techs offer some voluntary services but where payment is required, donation money is used.

All the animals stay with us until the case against the animal’s owner is adjudicated in court.  Sometimes, the animals are ordered by the judge to be returned to the owner. But usually, they are signed over to the Sheriff’s care.  That’s when we hold adoptions.  We are a no kill shelter.  As long as I am Sheriff, there will be a place in this office to house and care for abused animals we take in from our investigations. And it should go without saying; there will always be room in my jails for the animal abusers.

If you are an animal lover like Sheriff Joe, then please consider making a small contribution to his re-election campaign so he may continue his fight against animal abuse and neglect. Click here to donate on-line.