Animal Friends has 2 new Humane Society police officers

Two Humane Society police officers, Justin Galvin and Krista Koontz, were officially sworn in as Allegheny County Humane Society police officers on Jan. 25, according to a release from Animal Friends.

Koontz and Galvin will serve Allegheny County as members of Animal Friends’ Humane Investigations team.

Among the many programs and services provided by Animal Friends, the Humane Investigations Department responds to calls of suspected animal abuse, neglect and abandonment. The dedicated team serves as a vital resource for citizens, municipalities and other law enforcement agencies.

According to the release, Galvin and Koontz will serve the animals and people of Allegheny County by enforcing Pennsylvania Animal Cruelty Law, which includes a variety of offenses such as animal cruelty and abuse, hoarding, dog fighting, abandonment and neglect, which includes the failure to provide proper veterinary care, food, water or shelter.

“Officers Galvin and Koontz look forward to serving the pets and people of Allegheny County,” said Carol Whaley, Animal Friends’ director of humane programming. “Together, they will provide resources, guidance and, when warranted, rescue of neglected and abused animals.”

For more information about Animal Friends’ Humane Investigations program, visit ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/HumaneInvestigations.