Humane law enforcement is a division of law enforcement designed to protect domestic animals from abuse and neglect. Under humane law enforcement, people who commit acts of violence or fail to care for one or more animals they are harboring may be punished with misdemeanor or felony convictions which include fines and/or imprisonment. Animals that are considered domestic under humane law enforcement include dogs, cats, exotic pets, as well as livestock including cattle, horses, goats, chickens etc.

Although humane law enforcement is responsible for saving the lives of countless animals, many laws are considered by animal lovers and rights activists to be too lax. For example in New York State, a dog is considered adequately cared for when it has water, food, minimal shelter such as a basic dog house and a chain that is at least five feet (1.5m) in length. The law allows the dog to be left outdoors all the time even in freezing or soaring temperatures with minimal human contact. To many people, this kind of care is deemed unacceptable and is viewed as not only neglect, but abuse.

Humane law enforcement in most jurisdictions requires that animals have appropriate sanitary living conditions, food and water and medical treatment when sick or injured. The cases that are investigated and prosecuted under humane law enforcement are often tragic, horrific cases of torture and violence committed against animals.

Some acts of abuse include dog or cock fighting, animal starvation, shooting dogs and cats with pellet guns and intentional mutilation of domestic animals. One documented case involved a man that trapped and poured boiling water over a cat causing serious injury to the animal. Neglect may include inadequate shelter, lack of water and food, or medical care.

A humane law enforcement officer (HLEO) is responsible for investigating acts of animal cruelty, making arrests, providing conditions that a pet owner must comply with to avoid arrest and seizure of the animal and educating the public about animal cruelty. They are specially trained in animal health and first aid, as well as the animal cruelty laws of their jurisdiction and self defense. Many HLEO’s have backgrounds as certified peace officers, rangers or police training though this experience is not required to pursue a career in humane law enforcement.

A career in humane law enforcement can be very rewarding yet an extremely emotionally trying profession. Having to witness the deaths of animals that a humane law enforcement officer does, and witnessing the lack of care and harm that people can inflict on animals is very stressful and not something that just anyone can handle.