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VOLUNTEER FOR OUR
RAPID
RESPONSE ANIMAL PROTECTION TEAM
THE EDGARD 5
In March of 2008, we received yet another disturbing call involving animals. As a licensed private investigation agency which specializes in animal cruelty investigations, we respond to hundreds of calls that involve abuse to animals. This call involved the fatal shooting of a mother dog on a rural side street in Edgard, Louisiana. A neighbor heard the gunshot and found the body of the female canine, lying by the side of the road. She also found five nursing puppies nearby who scattered when they heard the gunshot.
Rather than write a report on this incident only to file it away, we decided to use the senseless shooting of this nursing dog to invigorate our cruelty investigation program and expand our reach. We decided to ask our members and supporters to help us solve these types of complaints and gather together more resources to respond to these crimes.
We quickly put together a team of volunteers called the Rapid Response Animal Protection Team, whose task it was to help us respond quickly to cases of animal abuse and cruelty. We thought that more individuals assigned to different cases could help us solve them in a shorter amount of time. Our assumptions proved to be right. Now fifteen months later, our team members have responded to dozens of complaints, which has led to the arrest of several individuals. We have also paid out $1,000 in reward money, aided in the safe return of three abducted dogs, and took into custody several abused animals, including a colt.
Update on The Edgard 5
To give an identity to the victims of this senseless crime, we have called the mother dog and her nursing puppies The Edgard 5. Immediately after the shooting, we traveled with a team of 7 volunteers to Edgard, Louisiana, and we canvassed the neighborhood. We spoke to about 2 dozen residents, handed out flyers, told household members what happened and explained that a reward fund had been established. We even visited the site where the mother dog was found, and we placed flowers on the ground in her memory. We also identified the complainant and thanked her for calling the authorities.
The Next Steps
To educate the public and members of our
Rapid Response Animal Protection Team, we plan to offer cruelty investigation workshops at different locations throughout the year and meet with law enforcement officials on a case-by-case basis. We will also file civil and criminal charges when warranted. We also hope to expand our reach in the coming months to other neighborhoods and townships, where cruelty to animals remains commonplace.
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How You Can Help
If you haven't already, please register to join our Rapid Response Animal Protection Team. When you register, you will receive regular updates of our cases and campaigns around the state. Complete the form below to join the Team!
Other Action Steps You Can Take Today
DONATE to our current fundraising drive for our cruelty investigations program. We have been experiencing an increase in cruelty reports in early 2009, due in part to the economic downturn. We have raised $6069.00 of our $10,000.00 goal as of May 12, 2009. Plus, we urgently need a new cruelty investigations vehicle!
Purchase one of our Fleur de lis "Paws for a Moment" pendants.
Sign up to VOLUNTEER.
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