Photo from Dutchess County SPCA
Dutchess County lawmakers have unanimously approved the creation of a new committee focused on animal welfare, public safety, and community wellbeing.
The Animal Welfare and Community Stewardship Committee (AWCS) was established through Resolution 2026095, which passed unanimously at the Dutchess County Legislature's June 8 meeting. The committee will bring together animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, environmental specialists, municipal officials, law enforcement representatives, and other stakeholders to advise the Legislature on issues ranging from animal cruelty and neglect to responsible stewardship and community education.
County Legislator Anna Shah - District 5
County Legislator Anna Shah, who authored and sponsored the resolution, said the idea grew out of months of conversations with shelters, rescues, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations across Dutchess County.
“One message was clear: animal welfare is about more than animals,” Shah said. She noted that preventing cruelty and improving coordination among community partners can strengthen public safety, public health, and overall quality of life. The committee, she said, will provide a public forum to develop coordinated and cost-effective solutions.
County Legislator Eric Alexander - District 25
County Legislator Eric Alexander, who co-authored the measure, said the county has long relied on a patchwork of organizations and agencies working toward the same goals without a centralized structure for collaboration.
“This new and necessary committee will ensure that the animals in our county get the attention they deserve,” Alexander said, adding that the effort will help agencies work together more effectively and provide them with the resources needed to protect animal welfare.
Support for the committee extended beyond the Legislature. Representatives from both the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office spoke in favor of the proposal before its adoption.
Representatives from the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office.
Sheriff Kirk Imperati said greater collaboration would strengthen ongoing efforts to investigate and prevent animal cruelty. Meanwhile, Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas La Stella, who leads the District Attorney's recently launched Animal Cruelty Unit, highlighted the connection between animal abuse and other forms of violence. According to the office, reports of animal cruelty frequently overlap with domestic violence cases, making early intervention an important public safety tool.
Supporters say the committee's work will focus not only on protecting animals, but also on strengthening the network of organizations, volunteers, and agencies that serve communities across Dutchess County. As the committee begins its work, lawmakers hope it will provide a more coordinated approach to addressing animal welfare challenges while improving outcomes for both animals and residents.
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