Humane World for Animals presented its Humane Law Enforcement Award today at the Iowa State Capitol to the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association (ISSDA) in recognition of Iowa sheriffs’ offices’ leadership in community safety, animal cruelty response, and ongoing professional training.
The award was presented by Preston Moore, State Director for Humane World for Animals, and accepted on behalf of the association by Lt. Elizabeth Quinn, President of the ISSDA and Story County Sheriff’s Office.
“It is truly an honor to be here to present the Humane Law Enforcement Award to the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association,” said Preston Moore. “This recognition reflects something we see every day across Iowa: a deep and unwavering commitment from sheriff’s offices to protect their communities, their people, and their pets.”
Moore noted that Iowa sheriffs and deputies are regularly responding to some of the most difficult and complex cases, including animal cruelty investigations that demand both sound enforcement and compassionate judgment.
“From Appanoose County to Wayne County, from Johnson County to Washington County to Dubuque County, and everywhere in between, Iowa’s sheriffs and deputies are stepping up,” Moore said. “These cases require not just enforcement, but compassion, judgment, and a clear understanding of the connection between animal cruelty and public safety.”
The award also recognizes the ISSDA’s commitment to training and education. Humane World for Animals has partnered with sheriff’s offices and the ISSDA to host in-person and virtual trainings for law enforcement, prosecutors, and animal control professionals.
“Because of that commitment to learning and improving, Iowa is safer today for animals and for people,” Moore said.
Finally, the award recognizes the ISSDA’s leadership in advocacy to strengthen protections for animals and improve public safety outcomes statewide.
“Protecting pets means protecting people, and protecting pets strengthens our communities,” Moore said. “In recent years, Iowa’s law enforcement community, most notably the ISSDA, has spoken clearly and courageously in saying Iowa’s animal cruelty laws need to be stronger. That leadership matters, and it makes a difference.”
Accepting the award, Lt. Elizabeth Quinn emphasized the connection between animal protection and public safety.
“We are honored to be recognized by Humane World for Animals with the Humane Law Enforcement Award,” said Lt. Quinn. “Protecting animals is a core part of our duty to serve the public, and this acknowledgment reflects the hard work our sheriffs and deputies put in every day to keep both people and animals safe.”
