The BAP seeks to provide support for law enforcement in addressing cases of animal cruelty and neglect. The BAP program can provide support from our BAP investigator at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, our commissioned BAP agents throughout the state, and our veterinarian to assist with investigations. The BAP can also assist with the housing and transport of animals from cruelty cases and when necessary, can apply civil remedies to enforce Colorado’s cruelty to animals statues. The BAP can provide training for law enforcement on topics related to animal mistreatment and animal handling as well as educational materials and resources.
If you are a law enforcement officer, please see below for information on requesting assistance on cases of potential animal cruelty and mistreatment as well as additional resources.
If you are a law enforcement officer and you would like to request the assistance of a BAP investigator and/or veterinarian, please text or call the BAP investigator at 720-241-1537. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please follow up with the BAP Admin Assistant at 303-869-9135.
If possible, please contact us with at least 3-4 days of advance notice before you need our assistance in the field; however, we will do our best to accommodate urgent requests from law enforcement.
We can be most useful when assisting if law enforcement officers can first do an initial investigation into the situation (e.g., attempt to make contact with the animal owner) and provide us with a case history and supporting evidence (including photographs).
The BAP can help law enforcement with transport and housing of animals from cruelty cases.
If you are requesting this assistance, please text or call the investigator at 720-241-1537. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, please follow up with the BAP Admin Assistant at 303-869-9135.
If possible, please contact us with at least 4-5 days of advance notice; however, we will do our best to accommodate urgent requests from law enforcement. If the information is available, please provide us with an estimate of the number and types of animals that you need assistance transporting and housing, their size, sex, and general condition and temperament.
The BAP is currently partnering with sheriff’s offices throughout the state to provide training for law enforcement on recognizing and responding to cases of potential mistreatment and neglect of equine and livestock.
To request BAP-led training for law enforcement, please email cda_bap@state.co.us.
These are some additional educational resources we have developed or compiled for law enforcement:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners resources for equine investigations
- Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scales for investigators
- Nestle Purina Body Condition Scoring
- Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart (Equine), Bureau of Land Management
In Spring 2023, the BAP developed a series of environmental and physical health scales to assist law enforcement officers with livestock and equine investigations. Law enforcement officers may request a copy of these scales by emailing cda_bap@state.co.us.