National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse - National District Attorneys Association

Photo by FourFootPhotography.com
(by Mary Eklund)

The National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse (NCPAA) is a program of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), created in partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to educate and train prosecutors and allied professionals on the effective handling of animal cruelty and neglect cases, including cases involving the co-occurrence of animal abuse and violence to people. NDAA desires to bring greater awareness to the often misunderstood nature of animal maltreatment and how it can interconnect with family violence and contribute to lethality issues for victims of interpersonal violence. With growing awareness by the public to recognize and report animal abuse, combined with increased attention by the media, prosecuting attorneys need the resources to properly address incidents of animal abuse in their community and properly hold offenders accountable.

Mission Statement

The mission of NCPAA is to always act in the best interests of animals; to create an environment in the criminal justice community where animal protection laws are fully enforced; to create understanding that when animals are safe from harm, communities are safer; to provide the resources, tools and support to prosecutors and allied professionals in the pursuit of those who harm animals; to collaborate with others so that the most updated and innovative information is available and accessible; to deliver training and technical assistance in a professional and ethical manner; and to remember that our victims are voiceless and deserve an impassioned and knowledgeable prosecutor pursuing justice in their name.

NCPAA was created through a grant from the Animal Welfare Trust, with continuing support from the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and ASPCA. We are honored that these funders share our vision and belief that all members in a community should be free from harm, including animals.

For More Information

Download our Brochure Importance of Prosecuting Cockfighting (warning, graphic video) Animal Cruelty and Neglect Information

Animal Abuse Videos

Release the Hounds: Using Pre-conviction Forfeiture to Save Seized Animals from Re-victimization
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Effectively Handling Animal Abuse Cases
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Animal Cruelty Crime Scene Forensic Photography
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Putting the LINK Puzzle All Together Building Community Partnerships to protect Animals and People
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The Animal Welfare Act and Working with USDA
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Is there HOPE? How and Why a Prosecutor should be Proactive in Combatting Animal Cruelty
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Can I Do That Ethical Issues when Working on Animal Cruelty Cases
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Collaborative Animal Cruelty Investigations
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Grant Writing 101 Securing Funding for Animal Care
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Handling the Stress of Combating Animal Abuse
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Intervening with Children Who Are Abusing Animals
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Prosecuting the Juvenile Animal Abuser
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Pretrial Motions The Framework for Evidence at Trial
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Understanding and Prosecuting Bestiality
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Behavioral Assessment and Rehabilitation of Animal Cruelty Victims
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Common Issues When Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Neglect Cases
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Managing Live Evidence in Animal Cruelty & Fighting Cases
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Cockfighting in the United States
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Forensic Animal Abuse Evaluations
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Investing and Litigating Equine Neglect Cases
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Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T): Savings Lives
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How Forensic Veterinarians Help Prosecute Animal Abuse Cases
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Animal Welfare Court
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Unique Aspects of Processing Animal Crime Scenes
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Blood "Sport:: Investigation and Prosecution of Animal Fighting Cases
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Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund: Getting Prosecutors and Allied Professionals Involved in the Care of Seized Animal Victims
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Handling Community Reaction to Animal Abuse
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Understanding Animal Abuse
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NDAA Anticipating Defenses in Animal Abuse Prosecutions
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Combating Animal Cruelty: The Past, Present and Future
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Planning for a Large Scale Seizure
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Trial Strategies in Animal Cruelty Prosecutions
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Investigating and Litigating Puppy Mill Cases
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The Psychological Aspects of Maltreated Animals
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Foreclosure Pets
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The AniCare Approach for Treating Animal Abusers
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The Veterinarian as Expert Witness
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Therapy Animals Supporting Maltreated Children
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