Glasgow Receives Award For Anti-Animal Cruelty Initiatives

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow was named one of “America’s Top Ten Animal Defenders” by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). He was presented with the award at the Will County Board meeting on Thursday, February 20 by Terri Crotty, Founder and Owner of Wags 2 Wishes Rescue on behalf of the ALDF. Crotty along with County Board Member Herbert Brooks also offered remarks.

In honor of National Justice for Animals Week, which occurs from February 23 through 29 this year, the ALDF honors officials every year who have taken amazing strides to ensure their communities are safer for animals.

“As St. Francis of Assisi recognized more than 900 years ago, those who would deny any creature the shelter of pity and compassion would do likewise to fellow humans. These words were remarkable given that they were made during one of the most violent times in human history, and they remain true today,“ Glasgow said.

“[T]he link between abuse to animals and violence against humans is undisputed. Addressing animal abuse many times leads to uncovering situations involving abuse or neglect of individuals in that home,” Glasgow continued. “Protecting animals helps to protect all of us. That is one reason I formed the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends – a countywide initiative designed to combat animal cruelty and abuse through advocacy, communications, cooperative efforts with animal humane and rescue organizations, the specialized animal protection unit in the State’s Attorney’s office, the law enforcement community, and all local units of government.”

Glasgow’s mission to address the abuse of animals goes beyond the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends He also started an Animal Protection Unit in the State’s Attorney’s office aimed at working with law enforcement to prosecute animal abuse and neglect cases. He wrote the Illinois 1999 Animal Torture Statute, which was the State’s first criminal felony charge for animal cruelty. Additionally, he hosts an annual ASPCA seminar and other community forums in order to inform the community about the importance of addressing and reporting animal cruelty and abuse.

According to the ALDF in acknowledging Glasgow, “[A]nimal victims of abuse cannot speak for themselves, so caring individuals in the criminal justice system must speak up for them. Founding the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends in 2019 is but one example of your effective compassion and dedication to recognizing and addressing animal abuse crimes in your community.”

National Justice for Animals Week is observed annually and dedicated to bringing awareness to animal abuse while also working with law enforcement officials, lawmakers, and prosecutors to protect communities and animals from abuse. This year’s theme is “Fighting Animal Cruelty, Honoring Animal Victims.”