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Read the press release here.

Take A Selfie With Your Pet To Help Fight Animal Abuse

By Nicholas Rizzi | July 20, 2017 10:39am
 District Attorney Michael McMahon, pictured with his dog Scout, started a photo contest for Staten Islanders to send pictures of them with their animals to collect in a calendar aimed to raise awareness of animal abuse.
District Attorney Michael McMahon, pictured with his dog Scout, started a photo contest for Staten Islanders to send pictures of them with their animals to collect in a calendar aimed to raise awareness of animal abuse.
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Staten Island District Attorney's Office

STATEN ISLAND — Animal lovers in the borough can be featured in an upcoming calendar by snapping a photo with their furry friend.

District Attorney Michael McMahon announced a contest this week to compile photos of Staten Islanders and their pets for a calendar aimed to raise awareness of animal abuse.

"We want to celebrate the bond that pet owners have with their pets while sending a clear message that we will not let precious members of our families be harmed," McMahon said in a statement. "Together, we will stand up against animal abuse in our borough."

Residents can send in photos until Sept. 1 and the winning entries will be published in a calendar next year, the DA said.

The free calendars will be distributed to animal hospitals, veterinarians, and pet stores around the borough and include resources on pet care and preventing animal abuse.

The DA's office handles about 20 animal cruelty cases each year and launched a unit dedicated to prosecuting themthe second of its kind in the city — because offenders are more likely to commit violent crimes in the future, McMahon said.

More than 75 percent of violent offenders in prison had previously abused animals and about 40 percent of domestic violence victims said they stay in abusive relationship because they fear for their pets' safety if they leave, McMahon previously said.

Aside from the dedicated unit, the DA's office also has a program that helps provide affordable veterinary services for low-income pet owners to help prevent them from getting charged with animal neglect in the future.

Staten Island residents can submit up to one black-and-white and/or one color photo by email to contest@rcda.nyc.gov or by mail to 130 Stuyvesant St. ATTN: Community Partnership Unit by Sept. 1. Entries must be previously unpublished and include the owner and pet's name, the pet's age, their address, email and phone number.