The Fresno District Attorney’s Office has made the list of America’s Top 10 Animal Defenders.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is honoring law enforcement, prosecutors, and legislators who make and enforce tough laws protecting animals.
Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, and Deputy DA’s Sydney Ricks (above left) and Lynette Gonzales (above right) are on the list for establishing the new Animal Cruelty Unit.
Gonzales says they are in a process of educating the community about crimes against animals:
“They don’t have voices, they can’t speak for themselves, they can’t cry out, often times they can’t escape, people think it’s just a dog, its just a cat, it’s just an animal.” – Lynette Gonzales, Fresno County Deputy DA.
Gonzales says animals are often used as weapons and victims in domestic violence cases, and many serial killers start with animals before they move on to their human targets.
Now, the new Animal Cruelty Unit is actively pursuing crimes against animals, obtaining its first conviction in November of 2015.
