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Orange, Osceola prosecutors volunteer to take on animal cruelty cases

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thirteen prosecutors in Orange and Osceola counties have volunteered to take on the State Attorney's Office animal cruelty cases in addition to their regular caseloads.

One of them came up with the idea after realizing how much experience helps prosecute the abusers.

A news conference was held at the State Attorney’s Office, where officials discussed statistics showing animal abusers often commit other violent crimes.

The ASPCA and county Animal Services managers were also attended the meeting to spread the word of what to look for so citizens can report animal abuse.

Law enforcement officers and prosecutors said the investigations often expose other crimes that they can put a stop to once they find out about it.

Prosecutors said a dog fighting investigation in Apopka two years ago led officers to a marijuana crop and to other illegal drugs.

Animal Services said they rescued 30 dogs, and most, but not all, were suitable for adoption. The others were euthanized.

“These animals don't have a voice. So we have to be their voice,” said Diane Summers of Orange County Animal Services.

Last year, 44 cases were prosecuted in Orange and Osceola counties. Thirty-one cases were reported this year.

Nationwide, statistics show almost half of rapists, and about a third of child molesters, abused animals when they were children.

“Testimony is evidence. So when you've got a victim of a crime, they go to court and tell the jury what happened. In animal cruelty cases, you don't have that. You have a the vet who examined the animal come in and tell the jury what he thinks happened, but of course the animal can't speak for itself,” said assistant state attorney Jamie McManus.

McManus came up with the idea, because of the challenges in animal cruelty cases, to have a dedicated unit of prosecutors with experience in the laws, the paraphernalia, and knowledge of the signs of abuse to make sure the abusers are held accountable.