Join Rae Smith as she speaks with Jacob Lloyd, Executive Director of the Animal Welfare Investigations Project, about the organisation’s fight against organised animal crime and the role of open-source intelligence in tackling these issues.
In this episode of the AWIP Podcast, Rae Smith sits down with Jacob Lloyd, Executive Director of the Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP), to discuss his path into animal welfare and the vital work carried out by AWIP. The conversation delves into the organisation’s focus on tackling organised animal crime, including dog fighting, cockfighting, and the puppy trade.
Jacob underscores the importance of training law enforcement and animal control agencies to effectively combat these crimes. They explore the use of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in gathering information on animal abusers and criminal networks, as well as the challenges investigators face in this field. AWIP’s efforts to build a comprehensive database on individuals involved in animal crimes are also highlighted, showcasing its commitment to supporting law enforcement initiatives.
The discussion examines the hurdles in investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases, with particular attention to dog fighting and wildlife trafficking. It stresses the necessity of gathering robust evidence to ensure successful prosecutions and the wider connections between animal cruelty and other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and human exploitation. Jacob calls for greater awareness, resources, and prioritisation of animal welfare issues within law enforcement agencies.
The episode concludes with details on AWIP’s upcoming training opportunities for professionals working to combat animal crime.