Animal Abuse
Special Prosecution Unit

The Madison County State's Attorney's office has taken a no tolerance approach to animal abuse in the County and has developed a special pilot program to help prosecute offenders. The State's Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the Metro East Humane Society, has developed a special prosecution unit designed to help rehabilitate those who have show aggression or serious neglect towards an animal. Trained staff members of the Metro East Humane Society will offer a class to first-time offenders who have violated animal abuse or cruelty laws. The class will consist of two four-hour sessions and will be held once a month.

The objective of the class is to prevent first-time offenders from returning to the court system, to educate people about cruelty to animals and to promote proper pet care. This class is designed to be a proactive effort to stop animal abuse and neglect before it happens again.

The class participants will pay a small fee for the class which will be disbursed to the Metro East Humane Society to cover incidentals. The Metro East Humane Society will be responsible for preparing materials for participants. Initially the class will be held at the Metro East Humane Society located at 8495 State Route 143 Edwardsville, IL.

Once the pilot program is in place and running, other humane organizations in the county will be invited to participate and host the class.

In order for this class to be effective it will have to be included as part of the court ordered sentence an individual receives for a violation of animal abuse or cruelty laws. Upon completion of the class the State's Attorney's Office will receive confirmation of each individual's successful completion.

DIVISIONS

Felony
Misdemeanor
Juvenile
Child Support
Forfeiture
Civil
Victim
Investigations
Administration

SPECIAL PROSECUTION UNITS

Drug Court
Domestic Violence
Animal Abuse

Animal Abuse Special Prosecution Unit

Animal Abuse
Special Prosecution Unit