Читать книгу Animal Cruelty Investigations - Группа авторов - Страница 22

Across many professional disciplines, particularly those likely to encounter vulnerable populations, there exists a duty to report certain actions, statements, observations, or suspicions to law enforcement. The field of animal welfare is no different. Lawyers and police officers working in this field are mandatory reporters of child and elder abuse. Social workers and human services employees are also mandatory reporters of child abuse. Veterinarians in many states¹ are mandatory reporters of animal cruelty. Being a mandatory reporter means you must report, it is not optional, and it is not transferable; not reporting could result in disciplinary action.

By passing laws requiring animal control officers to report suspected child abuse or permitting social service employees to report suspected animal cruelty, states are promoting cross‐reporting. If there is one vulnerable entity being victimized, other vulnerable populations in the situation are at risk of also being victimized; cross‐reporting ensures that this likelihood is not overlooked.