Criminal Justice Club to work with Ayres Animal Shelter
Defending the innocent includes animals

If someone mentions law enforcement, your first thoughts are likely traffic cops; police chasing down thieves, drug dealers, and murderers; and high-tech forensic labs analyzing crime scene samples. But, dogs and cats?

Canajoharie High School's Criminal Justice Club is working with Ayres Animal Shelter to draw attention to an often overlooked crime—animal cruelty.

On Sunday, May 18 at 8 a.m.-3 p.m., the club will sponsor “Animal Awareness Day” at the Ayres shelter in Sprakers. Throughout the day, club members will volunteer at the shelter to assist with spring clean-up, planting flowers, and general maintenance projects.

"The students wanted to involve themselves in a civic project. They considered raising money for various diseases, but decided to help our local community in its efforts to protect our animals. We are using this day to draw the community's attention to what has become a nationwide epidemic of animal cruelty," explained club advisor David Levine."

Mr. Levine, a former New York City District Attorney’s Investigator and Westchester County detective, saw the project as an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of the laws that agencies enforce. To help educate fellow CHS students, club members are displaying posters detailing animal cruelty statistics. They have also invited nonmembers to join in the day's activities.

"We are also inviting the public to participate by donating supplies for the shelter," said club member Brittany Knowles.

The group is collecting donations through May 16th. Donations may be dropped off at the main office at Canajoharie High School or at Ayres Animal Shelter on Hilltop Rd. in Sprakers. They are requesting:

• cat and dog food

• writing pens

• cat litter

• cleaning supplies (bleach, floor cleaners, etc.)

• dog biscuits

• blankets/sheets

The club began in February 2008 when Mr. Levine, who works as a student mentor in the high school, discovered the number of students who were interested in careers in criminal justice. Twice a month, students meet to explore career opportunities and discuss important legal issues facing our society. Meeting often feature guest speakers such as Sheriff Mike Amato and local village police officers or trips to visit local police departments and jails.

"One of the students' favorite meetings was a forensic presentation by Erica Zorn of HFM BOCES. She set up a crime scene complete with forensic evidence for students to investigate," said Mr. Levine.