Animal cruelty investigations benefit from the participation of a veterinarian trained to forensically evaluate the animal, the environment, and the facts of the case. This presentation will introduce the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s new program designed to match enforcement agencies with a community veterinarian, provide training and support to both parties, and address veterinary forensic deficits so frequently encountered when investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases.
Presenters:
As the Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program, Linda Fielder provides prosecutors, law enforcement, veterinarians, animal control officers, and animal rescues with essential operational and forensic support on criminal animal cruelty cases. Linda leads extensive training of these entities on evidence collection, scene processing, veterinary forensics, and sheltering of protective custody animal victims.
Linda has over 25 years of experience in animal protection. Prior to joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund, as Director of Shelter Medicine and Humane Investigations at the Oregon Humane Society, Linda supervised a fully operational 12,000 square foot veterinary teaching hospital and lead a law enforcement division with statewide jurisdiction that addressed thousands of reports of animal cruelty every year. In these roles, Linda was able to gain unique insight about the intersection of veterinary forensics and animal cruelty investigations, particularly with respect to large-scale cases, cases involving unique species of animals, and investigations into non-accidental injury to animals. She conceptualized and oversaw the Emergency Animal Sheltering certification program, one of the first in the country, at the Oregon Humane Society. A program that directly served, not only the Humane Investigations Department but facilitated a national response to natural disasters and animal cruelty cases. Serving as Incident Commander on numerous crime scenes, Linda is accustomed to interfacing with every stakeholder necessary for a successful investigation. Linda’s breadth of knowledge encompasses every aspect and phase of an animal cruelty investigation and prosecution, making her a unique asset in the field.
Linda was one of the first Certified Animal Welfare Administrators in the state of Oregon, is a Certified Property and Evidence Specialist, and has completed the FBI-LEEDA Executive Command Leadership Institutes.
Outside of work, Linda enjoys making pottery and exploring the local coastlines and tidepools with Sunny, a former street dog from Mexico. She also owns a houseplant shop in the front of her home on the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon.
Senior Staff Attorney Emily Lewis works directly with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and rescue groups providing direction and support for all aspects of criminal animal cruelty investigation and prosecution. She supports front-line responders by training and consulting on search warrant drafting, evidence collection and scene processing best practices.
Emily joined the Animal Legal Defense Fund after serving as staff attorney for the Oregon Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Division, where she directly participated in hundreds of animal cruelty investigations, including the raid of a massive animal-fighting compound, cases involving large-scale neglect of livestock, and all manner of puppy mill and animal hoarder scenarios. It is this firsthand experience that has given her such a deep understanding of animal cruelty casework and prosecution. At the Capital, Emily was integral in the passage of a number of important animal protection bills including stricter laws prohibiting animal fighting, oversight of animal rescue entities, the Humane Agent Bill, increased cross reporting, and strengthening of pre-trial remedies available to animal care agencies or individuals. Emily’s work on these bills — along with her implementation of the first legal internship program at the humane society and her support and training of agency officers, staff and veterinarians — contributed to the rise of the Oregon Humane Society as a national leader in the field of animal cruelty investigation and veterinary forensics, in particular. She has presented nationally and internationally on the importance of the veterinarian’s role in recognizing, reporting and responding to animal neglect and abuse.
Emily holds a JD and Master of Studies in Environmental Law (MSEL) from Vermont Law School, where she graduated with honors and was awarded the Academic Excellence Award in both Torts and Environmental Ethics. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Ethics & Policy and was awarded the Arthur Schoenfeldt Environmental Ethics and Policy Award from the University of Portland. She is a two time winner of Spot Magazine’s “Top Dog: Attorney” award (2014 and 2016).
Emily is passionate about her role as a voice for animals and aiding in the pursuit of justice on their behalf.
Based in Portland, Ore., Emily lives with her rescued Great Dane, Whiskey. She enjoys running, live music, visiting the Pacific Ocean coastline, and spends time on her weekends volunteering at the Family Dogs New Life Shelter.
