Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

About the MCSO Animal Crimes Investigations Unit

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, please call (602) 876-1011.

Our Animal Crimes Investigations Unit is unique within a law enforcement agency. It leads the way in enforcing animal cruelty laws and has helped create case law that serves as an example for other law enforcement agencies.

Did you know that there is a significant correlation between individuals who perpetrate violent crimes against animals and those who eventually commit crimes against people? That’s just one reason why the work the Unit does is so important. It’s not just about protecting our animal friends, but the entire community.

We receive a great many animal cruelty reports to our hotline every year. Specially trained detectives investigate every call. These investigations have resulted in the rescue and seizure of thousands of abused and neglected animals and produced hundreds of arrests.

When an animal is seized from an abusive or neglectful owner, Unit investigators turn over care and custody of the animal to MASH (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Safe Haven). MASH utilizes an innovative program where supervised inmates care for the animals, providing the inmates with animal care training and therapy.

• MASH 1 is located in the old First Avenue Jail Building and houses cats, dogs, and small animals

• MASH 2 is located adjacent to the jail complex at 35th Avenue and Gibson Lane and is dedicated to the care of farm animals and livestock

Notable investigations by the Unit have led to arrests that have garnered local, state, national, and even international attention, including:

• The successful felony prosecution of a celebrity who had eluded  
  felony conviction for decades

• Record single animal seizures in the hundreds (animals ranging from dogs, cats, and horses to reptiles and monkeys)

• Mass arrest of 69 people for blood sport/animal fighting (cockfighting)

• Investigations resulting in jail sentences for animal cruelty

• Arrests for beastiality

• Charges for associated crimes discovered during cruelty investigations including drug possession, child abuse, and fraud

• Booking single suspects for being in excess of 100 felony animal cruelty counts

Several of these cases set precedents. When probable cause is established in an animal cruelty investigation, the suspect is booked into our Jail. Exceptions are only made in extenuating circumstances when the booking is not in the best interest of the community.

The Animal Crimes Investigations Unit is constantly asked to consult with other law enforcement agencies throughout the nation on how to properly conduct successful animal cruelty investigations. As a recipient of numerous accolades and awards, we are proud to be recognized as law enforcement leaders in this important field.