National Justice for Animals Week 2010

Without strong enforcement, even the best written laws are powerless to protect animals. That’s why the Animal Legal Defense Fund is celebrating some of our nation’s most important animal advocates during National Justice for Animals Week–the prosecutors and other law enforcement professionals who have let it be known that animal abuse will not be tolerated in their communities.

During National Justice for Animals Week 2010, ALDF is also launching a nationwide campaign to promote legislation that would require mandatory registration of convicted animal abusers–giving communities, animal shelters, and law enforcement a powerful new tool to help keep animals safe. Learn more and contact your legislator today at ExposeAnimalAbusers.org.

We are proud to announce the honorees and sponsors of National Justice for Animals Week 2010.

Gillian Deegan

Gillian "Jill" Deegan is an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Botetourt County, Virginia. In addition to her other casework, she is responsible for handling all of the animal cruelty and neglect cases in her county.

William Lamberth

William G. Lamberth II is currently an Assistant District Attorney for Sumner County, Tennessee. In 2006, William, helped secure a positive outcome for hundreds of rescued dogs from a puppy mill near Nashville.

James Reams

James Reams has served as the Rockingham County Attorney for the past 12 years. James spearheaded the landmark prosecution when, in 2001, the Plaistow District Court searched the property of Christopher Devito in Newton, N.H. for evidence of running a "fighting dog" operation.

Grant Miller

In 2007, Dr. Grant Miller founded the Sonoma County CHANGE Program, a 501c(3) corporation in California that provides support services to the Sonoma County Animal Control department in cases of horse neglect, abandonment and abuse.

Tracey Cusick

Tracey Cusick has served as an assistant district attorney at the office of Norfolk County District Attorney William R. Keating for more than ten years. In 2008, she prosecuted to conclusion a case that involved more than 100 dogs.

Tiffany Wasserburger

Tiffany Wasserburger is the county attorney for Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. Tiffany's tireless prosecution has helped provide second chances for countless animals, including Max the kitten.

Tammy Somers

Tammy Somers joined the Office of the Indiana Attorney General in October of 2008 as a Deputy Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. The Attorney General's Office shut down a puppy mill and removed 74 dogs and four horses, and then shut down a second mill, rescuing nearly 300 dogs.

Raj Prasad

Raj Prasad has been an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office since 2005. Raj co-founded the office's Animal Protection Unit (APU) in 2008 with APA Amy Slameka. The APU has achieved a 98% conviction rate.

Ron Beggs

Ron Beggs is a fifteen year veteran of the Dearborn, Michigan Police Department. Ron was the detective-in-charge of the investigation into alleged animal hoarder Kenneth Lang Jr. who was found to have over 100 live and 150 deceased Chihuahuas in his home.

Amy Slameka

Amy Slameka has been with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office since January 2001. She co-founded the Animal Protection Unit (APU) in 2008 with Rajesh Prasad. The APU is designed to combat the underground criminal community that breeds, trains, houses and sells fighting animals.