In conjunction with the Vernon County Humane Society, Sheriff’s Deputies Eric Tollackson and Phil Welch were sent to the Wisconsin Humane Officer training course in Madison Sept. 22-26.

Officers were taught a systematic approach to investigating animal cruelty complaints, including:  the role of the animal investigator, rules of evidence, rules of search and seizure, civil liability, Wisconsin law, facility standards, evaluation of cruelty, nutrition, body conditioning and scoring, pet shop investigations, photography and sketching, crime scene procedures and collection of evidence, interview and interrogation, reporting writing, court room testimony, crisis intervention and officer safety.

Vernon County Sheriff John Spears said it is the goal of his office to be more knowledgeable in the area of animal neglect and/or cruelty, and to have more officers trained in this area.

The course was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection, and the Law Enforcement Training Institute.