ASPCA Bolsters Partnership with NYPD with Two Key Hires

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has announced two new hires to strengthen the recently established partnership with the NYPD. George Kline, a 25-year veteran of the NYPD, and Elizabeth (Beth) Brandler, a former Bronx County assistant district attorney, will be responsible for providing essential support to the NYPD relating to anti-cruelty law enforcement in New York City. They will offer strategic guidance to the NYPD and provide criminal law support in New York City.

Mr. Kline joins the ASPCA in the newly created role of law enforcement liaison. In this position, Mr. Kline will serve as the primary point of contact to the NYPD for animal cruelty related issues, and interface with NYPD leadership to offer effective solutions and assistance for all animal cruelty investigations. He will also coordinate training of NYPD personnel on animal cruelty matters, bringing in relevant subject matter experts as needed.

Mr. Kline held several positions during his tenure with the NYPD. Most recently, he was a senior project manager in the Office of Management Analysis and Planning’s Science and Technology Group where he led a team of researchers who were tasked with testing, evaluating and deploying cutting edge law enforcement technologies. Prior to that, Mr. Kline served as commanding officer of the Chief of Detectives Special Projects Unit, where he designed the first electronic case management system in the history of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau. Mr. Kline was also a member of the NYPD/FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he managed four teams of investigators tasked with responding to threats, gathering intelligence, and performing international terrorism investigations.

Ms. Brandler has joined the ASPCA’s Legal Advocacy department as New York City legal advocacy counsel, where she will provide criminal law expertise to assist in the prosecution of animal cruelty cases in New York City, and work closely with the ASPCA’s Cruelty Intervention Advocacy team to develop legal solutions for addressing the root causes of animal suffering through a holistic, multidisciplinary model. Ms. Brandler will also work with other attorneys in the department on affirmative civil litigation in cases with the potential to effect substantial change in animal protection laws nationwide.

Ms. Brandler comes to the ASPCA after spending nearly six years with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, serving as an assistant district attorney in the Investigations Division, Rackets Bureau. In 2012, Ms. Brandler led the successful prosecution against Raul Sanchez for his role in a major dog fighting operation in the Bronx. In that case, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office led the nearly year-long investigation, working closely with the NYPD. The ASPCA provided critical expert knowledge and services so that the investigation and prosecution of the case had the best chance to succeed. 

Matthew Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA, stated: “The addition of these highly skilled professionals underscores the ASPCA’s commitment to investing critical resources to our groundbreaking partnership with the NYPD and to our mission of combating animal cruelty.”  

“George and Beth’s collective experience and knowledge are invaluable assets that will enhance the ASPCA’s collaboration with the NYPD,” added Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group. “Their training skills, expertise and support to anti-cruelty law enforcement efforts are essential tools in our ongoing effort to protect New York City’s animals from cruelty.”

Under the ASPCA-NYPD partnership, the NYPD will take the lead role in responding to all animal cruelty complaints in the five boroughs, while the ASPCA will expand its direct care and forensics work to assist law enforcement officials by providing critical support for animal cruelty victims. The program officially launched on September 1 in the Bronx and will expand citywide by early 2014.

To report animal cruelty in the Bronx, the public is encouraged to call 311. For animal cruelty situations in the other four boroughs, the public should call (212) 876-7700 ext. 4450. For crimes in progress in any borough, individuals should call 911.