Our Mission
Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates is a group of volunteer citizens who work together to better the lives of animals. We seek to raise public awareness regarding laws as they relate to animals and the statistical connection between animal abuse and domestic violence (and other acts of violence). We do so through our presence at every animal abuse court case in CT and at other animal related events.
As part of our mission we will provide the following
- A monetary award to a selected law student who becomes a pro-bono animal advocate through the use of “Desmond’s Law” (Public Act No. 16-30).
- Funding to a person who works in the animal protection field to further their education.
- Funding for veterinary expenses for animal victims of abuse/cruelty when criminal prosecution of their abuser is imminent.
- Funding for necropsy when it will aid in the prosecution of an abuser.
- Monetary rewards for persons providing information that leads to the arrest of a person who has abused or abandoned an animal.
We are and will continue to be ‘a voice for the voiceless’.
Our Purpose
Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates (DAALA) believes that one’s treatment of animals is closely associated with the treatment of fellow humans. DAALA seeks a better world by celebrating animals and confronting animal abuse. We support the presence of volunteer citizens at animal abuse prosecutions as a “Voice for the Voiceless” to educate and inform the public about the well-documented link between animal abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. DAALA encourages and supports the inclusion of pets in judicial protection orders and supports frequent training and exchanges among criminal justice agencies to cross-train on animal abuse. DAALA also disseminates information to criminal justice, advocacy, medical, veterinary, animal control officers and mental health professionals about investigating and prosecuting animal abuse and awareness that animals are sentient beings, feel pain, and that violence to animals is a reliable predictor that the abuser may become violent to people. Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates also educates children that it’s noble and worthy to report animal abuse and be a hero for any voiceless and helpless animal.