Animal Precinct Promises To Combat Cruelty In Second Stunning Season

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tuesday, 28 May 2002

Back By Popular Demand -- Season Two Arrests Viewers with New Cases, New Animals and All-New Stories of Hope

Animal Precinct, the show that takes viewers on duty with New York's Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents, is back for another record-breaking season. In 2001, the premiere episode of Animal Precinct was the network's highest-rated series premiere. Since its inception, the original reality series has gained critical acclaim as well as continued groundbreaking ratings. Eighteen all-new episodes this season allow viewers to witness heart-warming and heartbreaking new cases, the introduction of undercover agents into the unit, harrowing rescues and defeats as well as stories about the agents themselves. The new season kicks off on Monday, May 27 at 8 PM (ET) on the Animal Planet network.

Animal Precinct returns to the ASPCA headquarters in New York, where the HLE agents investigate the thousands of crimes against animals that are reported to them each year. As many viewers know, these agents are incredibly passionate about preventing animal cruelty and punishing the perpetrators. To do their jobs effectively, the agents must combine their investigative skills, compassion, tact, and street smarts while dealing with people who are often uncooperative, unsympathetic and, at times, violent.

In Animal Precinct's second season, the agents' abilities are tested once again with all new cases and a wide array of animals in distress. The premiere episode "Price of Neglect" airs May 27 from 8-9 PM (ET). The program follows Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas as she responds to a complaint about a Shitzu whose hair has been allowed to grow too long and matted - leaving the dog in extreme discomfort. Agents also respond to a report of a guard dog left in an abandoned car lot. When agents arrive at the scene, they find a mastiff suffering from severe cherry eye, a condition has caused the dog's eyes to turn a startling red color and could endanger its eyesight.

Responding to a report of an owner neglecting his dogs, Special Agent H, an officer working undercover, arrives on the scene to find one emaciated pit bull in the yard and another in worse condition inside a steaming bathroom. The dogs are rushed immediately to the ASPCA's clinic for treatment. Finally, agents respond to a call to report a man living in his van with four dogs and a cat. Upon arriving at the scene, agents find that despite poor living conditions, the man is treating his animals with the utmost care.

In "Left Behind," premiering May 27 from 9-10 PM (ET), Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas finds herself in familiar territory. She's visiting a horse stable in Queens to investigate a report of horse neglect. She finds the horses in question and quickly discovers that the complaint was indeed true - one horse is ankle deep in waste and the other's coat is matted with manure. She is going to have to track down the owner immediately and have him correct the situation or the horses will be seized.

Next, agents are off to investigate a call from neighbors who have reported that a tenant in their building has moved, but left his pets behind. When found, the owner swears to correct the problem, but the next day when the agents return they find that the pets' condition has not changed. Several of the animals are starving and severely dehydrated. The owner is in danger of arrest.

Animal Precinct continues its mission to offer a chance of hope to otherwise hopeless animals. Animal Precinct's second season premieres Monday, May 27 at 8 PM with subsequent episodes airing Mondays at 9 PM.

Animal Precinct, which received a 2001 Genesis Award for Outstanding Reality Programming, is a production of Anglia Television -- a division of United Film and Television -- for Animal Planet. For Anglia Television, Andrea Cornes is executive producer and Becky Collen is producer. For Animal Planet, Kevin Mohs is executive producer.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org