LCSO sheriff forms task force to educate, enforce animal abuse laws

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno has formed the Animal Cruelty Task Force at Lee County Sheriff’s Office to educate the county about animal abuse and neglect and to enforce all laws related to mistreatment of animals.

LCSO shared the announcement about the formation of the Animal Cruelty Task Force at the sheriff’s office in a press release Thursday.

“The link between animal abuse and human abuse is clear and frightening,” Marceno said in the press release. “In addition to protecting defenseless animals, addressing animal cruelty will likely prevent future acts of violence against people in our county.”

According to LCSO, numerous studies document the connections between animal cruelty/abuse and domestic violence, child abuse, mass violence episodes and sexual violence.

Effective immediately, the Animal Cruelty Task Force, in partnership with Lee County Domestic Animal Services and their veterinarians, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, will proactively educate the community about animal abuse laws as well as enforce them to their fullest extent.

“We have arrested and successfully prosecuted cases of animal abuse in Lee County,” Marceno said in the press release. “This task force strengthens our ability to investigate, locate and arrest those committing these acts of cruelty.”

LCSO detectives will be assigned to the task force to investigate all misdemeanor and felony animal abuse cases within the county. Working with the state attorney’s office, LCSO says those abusing animals in Lee County will be brought to justice.

“Not here,” Marceno said in the press release. “Not here. Not now. Not ever. Abuse an animal in Lee County, you’re going to jail.”