Awarded for Justice, Our Role in Vick Case Honored

A few of our staff members were bummed about missing our NYC festivities on April 10, ASPCA Day, but they had a good reason--they were busy in Virgina, receiving awards!

At the ceremony for the U.S. Attorney's Office 2008 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards, four of our key staff members were recognized for their invaluable assistance in the federal investigation of ex-NFL star Michael Vick. The investigation—remarkable for the way it captured the public’s attention and for the wealth of resources invested by the federal government—called upon our experts to provide essential aid in veterinary forensics and to play a key role in the rescue of 49 dogs found on Vick’s Surry County, VA, property.

At the private award ceremony on April 10, presided over by Chuck Rosenberg, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, ASPCA staff members represented the only animal welfare organization in a room full of FBI agents and other law enforcement heroes. Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director, Veterinary Forensics; Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB, Executive Vice President, National Programs; Dr. Randall Lockwood, CAAB, Senior Vice President, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and Legislative Services, and Dr. Pamela Reid, CAAB, Vice President, Animal Behavior Center, each received an award for providing invaluable assistance in one of the most significant cases in the history of animal cruelty prosecution.

"It was very special to receive this award with my colleagues on the ASPCA's anniversary,” says Zawistowski. “The dedication and effort extended by the federal prosecutor and investigators, along with the public support for the effort, clearly confirmed that the mission we have followed for the past 142 years is alive and well."

For more information on the ASPCA’s groundbreaking anti-cruelty initiatives, please visit ASPCA.org.