Safer Together: Cross-Reporting for Humane and Human Services

Course overview

Since the passage of H.B. 33 individuals who are Social Workers, Counselors, & to Veterinarians, Animal Control Officers, and Law Enforcement Officers are now bound, by law to adhere to cross reporting obligations. Because there is such a high correlation between elder abuse, domestic and community violence with all types of animal abuse, it is critical for the professional to be able to identify both physical and environmental signs of animal abuse. There are also ethical concerns as to including animal abuse in informed consent and the realization that although there are significantly higher punishment possibilities , this does not at all equal more safety. We will explore these and other questions in this session , and also identify the consequences of both reporting, not reporting or false reporting signs of animal abuse.