NYPD and ASPCA Announce New Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad Mobile Command Post

August 27, 2018

The NYPD and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) today unveiled a new mobile command post that will be used by the Department's Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad in their mission to stop abuse and protect New York's most vulnerable animals. The size and utility of the new vehicle will allow the NYPD to act quickly and effectively in cases where large numbers of animals are facing the greatest risk. The NYPD and ASPCA partnership is now in its fifth year and has resulted in the treatment of more than 3,000 animal victims city-wide.

"Our partnership with the ASPCA is critical to our work to fight animal cruelty and combat abuse and neglect," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "By working together with the ASPCA, we are a force multiplier in that effort, and we thank them for making this new mobile command post a reality."

When animal cruelty is reported anywhere in the five boroughs, the NYPD takes the lead in responding while the ASPCA provides the Department with critical support in the form of forensic evaluations, medical treatment, animal behavior assessments and more. The alliance allows for a faster, more widespread and more thorough response to animal abuse complaints when and where they happen.

"On behalf of the ASPCA — as well as vulnerable animals throughout the city — I thank Commissioner James O'Neill and the NYPD for launching this Mobile Command Center. We are very proud to support this incredibly important project," said Howard Lawrence, Vice President of the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. "There's no question that New York City has become a safer and more compassionate city for animals in need, thanks in large part to the ASPCA-NYPD Partnership."