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.
Desmond’s Army will assist in funding veterinarian costs for animal victims of abuse when criminal prosecution of their abuser is imminent.
We will also award a scholarship to a law student who becomes a (pro-bono) animal advocate through the use of “Desmond’s Law”.
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.