"Animal Precinct at Ground Zero" TV Show To Spotlight ASPCA During WTC Crisis

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tuesday, 9 October 2001

One-hour Special Features ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement Agents' Animal Rescue Efforts in Restricted Area

On Friday, October 12, from 9-10 PM (ET/PT), Animal Planet presents a world television premiere special episode of its New York-based original series Animal Precinct. Animal Precinct AT GROUND ZERO is a story of hope amid the devastation, chronicling the dramatic and determined work of the Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Department at The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's (ASPCA) in the wake of the tragic events in New York City.

The hour-long documentary details how the ASPCA, who pooled their resources with other local animal welfare agencies -- American Humane Association, Animal Medical Center, Center for Animal Care and Control, City Critters, Humane Society of New York, Nassau County SPCA, New York City Fire Department, New York City Parks Department, Central Park Conservancy, Pennsylvania Animal and Wildlife Service (P.A.W.S.), Pennsylvania Department of Corrections K-9 Unit, Rockefeller University Pet Foster Project, Suffolk County SPCA, Sullivan County SPCA, veterinarians and veterinary technicians from New York City, Long Island, the Tri-State area and beyond, and the Veterinary Medical Assistance Team -- is handling the myriad problems resulting from the World Trade Center attack.

From rescuing animals from evacuated buildings and treating injured pets, to providing preventative care to search and rescue dogs and offering hope to concerned pet owners, the rescue team was forced to corral all of their training and experience, ultimately caring for over 500 animals within a week of the attack.

The ASPCA's HLE agents and investigators are charged with protecting New York City's animal population year-round. Animal Precinct AT GROUND ZERO follows the agents and investigators throughout seven of the most poignant and tumultuous days in the organization's 136-year history.

Among the relief endeavors profiled in Animal Precinct AT GROUND ZERO are:

• Special Agent Tina Salaks' rescue of an elderly dog in poor health who was trapped in the restricted area for four days, and eventually reunites him with his distraught owner
• Special Agent Joann Sandano's arduous journey up more than 25 flights of stairs in the pitch dark to rescue five stranded chihuahuas
• ASPCA Psychologist Stephanie LaFarge offering counseling to a family dealing with the potential loss of their beloved family pet
• Senior veterinarian Dr. Ellen Hirshberg's efforts to offer both preventative health checks and injury treatment to the many animals rescued from evacuated and abandoned buildings in the restricted zone.

Animal Precinct regularly airs on Animal Planet on Mondays from 9-10 PM (ET/PT). As each episode of Animal Precinct vividly demonstrates, no two days are exactly alike for the HLE agents and investigators. With statewide jurisdiction, mainly concentrating in New York City's five boroughs, the HLE agents investigate cases of animal cruelty that cross geographic, economic and racial boundaries. Their cases might include infiltrating and destroying dog- fighting rings, closing down cockfighting facilities, and arresting perpetrators who are starving and abusing their animals.

To do their jobs effectively, the agents must combine their investigative skills, with compassion, tact and street smarts while dealing with people who are often uncooperative, unsympathetic and, at times, violent. All of their abilities, and more, are on display throughout Animal Precinct.

Animal Precinct and Animal Precinct AT GROUND ZERO are productions of Anglia Television -- a division of United Film and Television -- for Animal Planet . For Anglia Television, Paul Berriff is producer/director, Becky Collen is associate producer and Sian Jones is post-production producer. For Animal Planet , Kevin Mohs is executive producer, Shera Collins is associate producer, and David E. Gerber is vice president of production.

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