Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona

ABOUT THE
ACT WEBSITE:
This website is designed to assist law enforcement, criminal justice and animal protection professionals in the identification and successful prosecution of crimes against animals. It also contains information which may be valuable to the public in helping to prevent animal cruelty and other forms of violence. If you need additional information, you are always welcome to contact our webmaster or our officers listed below.
Thank you for visiting!

OUR MISSION:  
To increase awareness of animal cruelty laws in southern Arizona.  

To enhance and coordinate enforcement of animal cruelty laws.  

To educate law enforcement, animal care professionals and other interested agencies in aspects of animal cruelty and the relationship of animal cruelty to other forms
of assaulting behavior.

ACT OFFICERS
FOR 2008:   

Mike Duffey, Co-Chair 
 Humane Society of Southern Arizona
3450 N. Kelvin Blvd.  
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(520) 881-7420
FAX: (520) 881-7400

Brenda Cook, Co-Chair 
Tucson City
Attorney's Office
103 E Alameda, # 501
Tucson, Arizona 85701
(520) 791-4104
FAX: (520) 791-5509

Marsh Myers,
Public Information Officer
Humane Society of
Southern Arizona 
3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. 
Tucson, Arizona 85716 
(520) 881-7401
 FAX: (520) 881-7400

Pat Hubbard,
Financial Officer
 Humane Society of Southern Arizona
 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. 
Tucson, Arizona 85716 
(520) 321-3704,
Ext. 138 
FAX: (520) 325-7190 

Jenison Silva,
Administrative Officer
 Humane Society of Southern Arizona
 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. 
Tucson, Arizona 85716 
(520) 881-7404
 FAX: (520) 881-7400  

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona's (HSSA) Second Chance Fund helps ACT detectives and investigator provide emergency medical care for animals rescued from abusive situations. These monies are made available to any ACT member agency as needed with the hope that no animal-victim will need to be euthanized due to lack of medical or financial resources. Over the last year, HSSA and ACT paid over $36,000 in medical and rehabilitative care for abused animals of all kinds. Your tax-deductible donation to the Second Chance Fund will help ensure that money is always available for those animals who need it most. Click on the link to the left to be transferred to the HSSA website where you can use the secure Pay Pal system to make your donation.

NEW STATE LAW ADDS ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIONS ON SELLING ANIMALS ON CURBSIDES. Arizona House Bill 2485 went into effect in late September, adding another layer of protection to keep animals from being sold on street corners, public parking lots or other inappropriate venues. Local animal welfare, animal control and law enforcement agencies frequently get calls from the concerned public about animals being sold under conditions that are detrimental to their health and welfare. Click here for more.
SONIC COMMUNITY FIRST VALUE CARD BENEFITS ACT: Sonic Restaurants are helping abused animals by offering a number of their Sonic Community card to the Animal Cruelty Taskforce. These cards include ten coupon for a $15 value at any Sonic anywhere in the United States. Offers in Buy-One-Get-One-Free offers on Sonic burgers, breakfast toaster sandwiches, sundaes and hotdogs. Other valuable offers include discounts on drinks and sides. The cards are available from ACT by contacting Marsh Myers or Jenison Silva at (520) 881-7401 or 881-7404 for only $5 each. Proceeds from card sales will be used to benefit the Second Chance Fund (see information above) to provide medical care to abused and neglected animals. You can used your Visa, Mastercard or AMEX to buy the cards. If you prefer to purchase them by mail, send $5 per card to Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Attention: ACT, 3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85716. Please do not send cash.
COLORS OF COMPASSION ANIMAL ART CONTEST FOR KIDS: Animals can enrich the lives of children in so many ways. They are our friends, confidents, protectors and family members. The young participants in the COLORS OF COMPASSION contest will be challenged to illustrate this deep emotional bond between humans and non-humans by interpreting this year’s theme: “Exploring the Unbreakable Bond Between Kids and Animals.” Six winning compositions will be selected. Click here for more.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: SEXUAL ASSAULT ON ANIMALS This two-hour workshop for professionals will provide law enforcement, criminal justice and animal control personnel information on how to recognize, respond and handle animal sexual assault cases. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 from 9 to 11 a.m. $10 per person. Register by Oct 24 by calling (520) 881-7404 or email Jenison Silva for more.
PUBLIC TRAINING: ANIMAL LAW FOR LAYPEOPLE Did you know that it is illegal to chain your dog in your backyard in Tucson and Pima County? Or that in the City of Tucson, you are required to remove animal waste from your backyard every 24 hours? The Humane Society of Southern Arizona’s Community Outreach Department is pleased to offer an ANIMAL LAW FOR LAYPEOPLE seminar. This public seminar is geared towards educating the members of the community on the state and local laws regarding animals. It’s all too often that the “lack of knowledge” leads to a violation of law. This 1.5 hour presentation will cover local and state laws in easy-to-understand language; explain how a case is investigated, tried and prosecuted; and provide participants with practical ways they can protect their and other animals from harm. The presentation will also cover the recently passed laws and how to report violations. This public seminar is perfect for new pet owners, winter visitors, new or current residents who want a better understanding of the laws regarding animals and how to report violations. The seminar will be held on November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Companions for Life Center at 3456 E. Kleindale Rd. The cost is $10 per person, pre-registration is required. Register by calling (520) 881-7404 or email Jenison Silva for more.