Great Falls Trains Responders on Animal Cruelty Cases
Montana professionals gathered in Great Falls for specialized training on large-scale animal-cruelty and hoarding investigations.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Dogs
Professionals from across Montana gathered in Great Falls for a two-day program on investigating animal cruelty. The training addressed how law enforcement, prosecutors, veterinarians and animal-welfare workers can coordinate on complex cases.
Why it matters
Large-scale animal-hoarding cases are relatively uncommon, and many responders have limited experience handling them. Training that connects police, prosecutors and shelters can improve how evidence is collected and how animals are cared for.
Two large-scale hoarding cases in summer 2025 brought roughly 200 dogs to one Montana shelter, and the two-day training covered search warrants, seizures and evidence handling. The number of attendees and the program's measurable results were not reported.
The players
Animal Legal Defense Fund
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a national nonprofit that advocates for animal protection through legal channels and sponsors the Collaborative Response Project.
Bitter Root Humane Association
The Bitter Root Humane Association is the only animal shelter in the Bitterroot Valley, based in Hamilton, Montana.
Tucker Chase
Tucker Chase is the shelter director for the Bitter Root Humane Association in Hamilton.
Jessica Becker
Jessica Becker is an animal control officer for the City of Great Falls.
The details
The Animal Legal Defense Fund's Collaborative Response Project selected Cascade County for the program. The second day covered veterinary forensics, including documenting injuries, collecting evidence and maintaining chain of custody, with instruction on preparing information for court.
Timeline
Summer 2025: Two large-scale hoarding cases brought roughly 200 dogs to a Montana shelter.
November 10, 2026: Article published on the training in Great Falls.
Big Picture
The training is a local application of the Animal Legal Defense Fund's Collaborative Response Project, which pairs law enforcement, prosecutors and veterinarians to handle animal-cruelty cases. Cascade County's selection extends that model into Montana's central region.
Dog owners and neighbors may see faster, more coordinated responses when animal-cruelty or hoarding concerns are reported. Shelters across the region may also gain clearer procedures for documenting evidence and caring for seized animals.
The takeaway
Reporting suspected animal cruelty to local law enforcement or animal control helps start the coordinated process this training describes. Strong evidence handling in early stages makes cases easier to prosecute and helps animals get proper care.
Further reading
Explore more on Dogs and how communities respond to animal welfare cases.
