Erie County: DA Flynn appoints prosecutor to DAASNY subcommittee to fight animal cruelty

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn has named Assistant District Attorney Erin E. Hart to the Animal Crimes Subcommittee of the District Attorneys Association of New York.

Last week, Flynn attended the District Attorneys Association of New York’s (DAASNY) annual winter conference in New York City. Flynn, a member of the DAASNY board of directors, voted in favor of forming an animal crimes subcommittee, establishing a statewide effort among district attorneys in preventing and prosecuting crimes against animals.

Hart is the prosecutor assigned to the animal cruelty unit of the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. She is responsible for overseeing all crimes committed against animals in Erie County, including cruelty, neglect and hoarding, as well as the training and fighting of dogs and other animals.

The animal cruelty unit prosecutor works closely with the Erie County SPCA special officers, city and town animal control officers, and forensically trained veterinarians and experts to identify cases of animal cruelty, gather evidence and prosecute the offenders.

“My job as district attorney is to seek justice for the victims. Animals are among the most vulnerable victims, because they obviously cannot speak for themselves,” Flynn said. “I hope, that by having an assistant district attorney from my office on this subcommittee, we can strengthen our ability to identify and prosecute animal cruelty cases in Erie County and hold these offenders accountable.”