Law Enforcement Department

Protecting Animals and Preventing Abuse

The Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston's Law Enforcement Department is committed to investigating crimes against animals and to protecting animals and people who interact with them in our community.

Our officers, appointed as special state police officers, logged thousands of miles investigating 704 cases of animal abuse and neglect during 2007. Click here to learn more about our officers and their training.

Our Advocacy Department works to influence legislation affecting animals at the state and local level by meeting with legislators, advising legislative committees and testifying at public hearings. Click here to learn more about our advocacy efforts.

The ARL of Boston's Law Enforcement Department is located at its headquarters at 10 Chandler Street in Boston and can be reached at (617) 426-9170, extension 110. We also have several outreach offices at our shelters in Dedham, MA and at our Cape Cod branch in Brewster. The six-member department is lead by the Director of the Center for Animal Protection Lt. Alan Borgal, Investigative Specialist Thomas Flanagan and Law Enforcement Coordinator Jacqueline Louzan.

We encourage members of the public and other agencies to contact us if they suspect that animals are being cruelly treated, or are in imminent danger of abuse or neglect.  Our phone lines are monitored seven days a week including holidays, and a law enforcement staff member will then contact the caller to log in the alleged complaint so that an investigation can begin.

To contact the Law Enforcement Department or to report animal abuse, call (617) 226-5610 or (617) 426-9170.

Click here for a link to the Massachusetts cruelty statute and other key laws affecting animals.

Click here for information about what happens when you make a report.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Department receives no state of federal funding and operates a full-time Humane Animal Law Enforcement Agency at no cost to Massachusetts taxpayers. Click here to make a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Department to help these officers protect animals from abuse and neglect in your community.