An 18-year veteran of the Syracuse Police force was honored Tuesday for her dedication to keeping animals safe in the community. The recognition came one day after the sheriff announced an animal abuser registry.
The Humane Society of the United States bestowed its Humane Law Enforcement award upon Officer Rebecca Thompson for her compassion and for enforcing animal cruelty laws. She says she’s always taken notice of pets while on the job.
“I couldn't understand why people had treated animals so poorly. That was not how I grew up," Thompson said. "Every house I went into, I took used it as an opportunity to where's the food, where's the water, why does this dog have a chopped off ear. I used that as a way to grow, and it was a necessary thing.” 
Thompson has conducted dozens of cruelty investigations as the city’s first department-based animal cruelty investigator, and has directed the removal of animals from inhumane conditions. She says Syracuse has come a long way, but there is more to be done to stop animal abuse.
“We're seeing dog fighting, dogs that are being starved, stabbed, shot, the full array. It's still out there."
Police Chief Frank Fowler says animal abuse is a good indicator of other illicit activity.
"It is a gateway crime to other things. It is also a byproduct of other criminal activity."
Brian Shapiro is New York State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. He says Syracuse and the SPD have set the standard for others to follow in New York State.
"The importance of making the connection to animal cruelty, violence to animals, animal abuse, animal neglect and the ills that it creates in our society.and the connection to human violence, and violent crimes, and organized crimes. The Syracuse Police Department made that connection a long time ago."
Tuesday’s honor for Officer Thompson comes a day after Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway introduced an animal abuser registry to keep those convicted of crimes against animals from owning, adopting, or purchasing animals. Thompson says the registry will be helpful.
“The FBI is recognizing it as one of their characteristics that they use for identifying criminals, so yes, absolutely, we need a registry”
Thompson says SPD will be among the animal shelters and pet stores that will have access to the registry.
