The Marysville Police Department is working to prevent and end animal cruelty in the community, with a new training program now being used by dozens of agencies.
“Our number one goal is to remove the animal from that terrible circumstance and provide it with the medical care that it needs, as well as finding [the animal] a new home at the end of the court case,” said MPD Community Service Officer Dave Vasconi.
Together, Officer Vasconi and Pasado’s Safe Haven Cruelty Investigations Director championed the effort to prevent animal cruelty and hold suspects accountable by developing an Animal Cruelty Investigation Training curriculum with the Criminal Justice Training Commission. The program has posted impressive numbers since it started in September, leading to more animals being saved and more people being held accountable for harming them.
“I just have always had this deep passion and desire to be there for animals,” said Officer Vasconi. “They can’t speak for themselves. They rely on us for the basic necessities of life, and I think that they hope for a little love. The least I can do in my life is be there for them.”
Nearly 70 agencies are now enrolled in the Animal Cruelty Investigation Training, with more than 460 officers trained. “I am eager each time someone tells me they took [the Animal Cruelty Investigation Training] and loved it. I cannot express enough thanks to Rebecca Winnier and D.B. Gates for all the great work they both did on this project,” said the Director of Investigations and Rescue Operations of Pasado's Safe Haven.
Marysville’s Community Service Unit consists of one reserve police commissioned officer who specializes in the investigations and enforcement of all state laws of crimes against animals. Officer Vasconi also provides support to the police patrol division handling a variety of calls for service. The Community Service Officer responds to many animal cruelty complaints each year, often resulting in arresting a suspect and rescuing an abused animal. If you believe animal cruelty is happening, call 911 immediately to report it.