Indiana animal welfare professionals, such as animal control officers and law enforcement personnel who respond to cases involving animals, are invited to attend the inaugural Animal Investigations Academy: Foundational Knowledge course Jan. 23-27 in Indianapolis.
The five-day class, offered by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), will cover topics essential to managing animal investigations effectively, including: animal law, animal husbandry, investigation basics, bonding statute information, policy and procedures, and more.
The class is free to attend and is open to any Indiana professional who has a direct involvement with animal-related investigations.
"Legal cases involving animals have a unique set of challenges," said Hannah Fisher, BOAH's animal welfare operations director. "This academy was developed to help investigators navigate the complexities of cases that involve animals—from neglect to hoarding to fighting—The Foundational Knowledge class is perfect for those who are new to animal investigations, veteran investigators looking to review basic concepts, or those who wish to network and develop relationships across the state."
As a former county animal control officer, Fisher used her first-hand experience and knowledge to develop this class to help animal investigators in any Indiana jurisdiction respond, assess, and shepherd cases through the legal system. An important component is accessing resources and expertise to ensure situations are fairly evaluated.
In addition to Fisher, BOAH veterinarians and subject matter experts, as well as industry partners will present the content. The class is designed to be interactive and spark discussion of case studies and scenarios that animal investigators may encounter.
For more information about the course, contact Hannah Fisher at hfisher@boah.in.gov.
Categories: Indiana, Education