Connecticut to cross-check animal abuse cases

Hartford, Conn. — Animal cruelty and child abuse have now been linked in new ways.

Effective Oct. 1, animal control officers and employees of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) must report cases of suspected abuse to one another. At homes where animal abuse or cruelty has been identified, the Department of Agriculture must notify the DCF and provide details about the abuse. DCF will then check its own records to see if there have been any previous investigations of child abuse at the address. DCF will make similar reports to animal control workers, who will then investigate whether any animal cruelty complaints have been lodged at homes where child abuse investigations have been opened. Each agency will make reports to one another monthly, according to House Bill 6226, which was signed into law July 13.