ASPCA rewards cops for saving suffering dogs

December 17, 2018 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Police Officer Philip Longo (center) receives his award from Elizabeth Brandler, legal advocacy senior counsel for the ASPCA, and ASPCA Vice President Howard Lawrence. Photo courtesy of ASPCA

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The old saying goes: “A dog is man’s best friend.” The ASPCA has an addendum: in many cases, cops are dogs’ best friends.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently presented awards to 18 cops, prosecutors and veterinarians for their efforts to protect animals from abuse. Three Brooklyn members of the NYPD, Insp. Rafael Mascol, P.O. Philip Longo and P.O. Christopher Ferreira, were among the honorees. The citations were handed out during a luncheon at the ASPCA’s Adoption Center in Manhattan.

Through the NYPD/ASPCA partnership, a 5-year-old program, the ASPCA works closely with police and prosecutors to save animals and bring abusers to justice, according to the ASPCA.

“The ASPCA is honored to reflect not only on the contributions of our partners this year but throughout the past five years of this life-saving collaboration between the ASPCA and NYPD,” Howard Lawrence, vice president of ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement, said in a statement.

“The ASPCA relies on dedicated professionals in the NYPD, prosecutors’ offices and the veterinary field without whose contributions we could not continue our progress against animal cruelty in New York City,” Lawrence added.

Longo, a cop assigned to the 67th Precinct in East Flatbush, was credited for his efforts to save two dogs from a cruel owner earlier this year. He responded to a complaint of animal abuse after a suspect was spotted on surveillance video repeatedly whipping one of his two dogs with a leash. Longo was able to identify the suspect and quickly arrested him.

Longo also worked with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to obtain a search warrant to seize the suspect’s other dog. Longo’s persistence was instrumental in protecting both dogs from further abuse, according to ASPCA officials.

Ferreira, who formerly served as a Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) in the 73rd Precinct in Brownsville, worked with the ASPCA’s Community Engagement team to solve a case of ongoing animal cruelty in his sector. Ferreira arrested the owner of two dogs who been consistently leaving the dogs outdoors in inclement weather. The owner later went to trial and was found guilty of misdemeanor cruelty and inappropriate shelter.

Mascol, the commanding officer of the 73rd Precinct, has been an avid supporter of the NYPD/ASPCA Partnership, according to ASPCA officials. He recently hosted an animal wellness event at the precinct cosponsored by the NYPD and the ASPCA.

The event provided an opportunity for local residents to bring their pets and to receive information from service providers like Safe Horizon, Health First and Animal Care Centers of NYC. Free wellness exams and pet vaccinations were also given to dogs and cats.