The Cranston Police Department (CPD) has created a commemorative patch for a Cranston dog , Moses, that died of a gunshot wound to the head in March of 2022. All proceeds will go to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) which works closely with CPD when the department receives animal abuse and neglect allegations.

Detective Michael Iacone said Chief of Police Colonel Michael Winquist pushed for the SPCA patch after the incident. The organization seeks to “protect animal life in all situations and crusade for the rights and welfare of all animals, great and small, through legal, educational, and investigative means and is the only non-profit animal rescue organization in the state that can legally investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and neglect cases.” The new patch costs $20 and, according to Wayne Kezirian, President and General Agent of SPCA, proceeds will be used for Rhode Island SPCA’s active law enforcement program.

RI SPCA was founded in 1870 and, according to its website, provides adoption and rehoming services, veterinary care, humane education, training support and pet owner assistance programs.

“The Rhode Island SPCA is also the only organization in the state that can legally investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect and takes an active role in legislative matters concerning the welfare of all animals in our state,” reads the organization’s website.

Last March, Moses (a Bully mixed dog) was found deceased and discarded in a garbage bag in the parking lot of a local business. Through a joint investigation, the alleged perpetrator (the dog’s owner) was identified and arrested.

“A senseless and cruel crime such as this highlights the importance of the Rhode Island SPCA’s daily work,” CPD shared via social media.

After the arrest, Winquist reached out to Rhode Island SPCA about including them in the department’s patch program. The organization works on a regular basis with local law enforcement from Rhode Island’s cities and towns and has worked well with Cranston over the years. Kezirian said the organization hadn’t caught the attention of senior leadership at CPD until this past case.

“It’s validating to be recognized by other police agencies for the expertise we bring. We’re certainly appreciative of Col. Winquist reaching out to us,” said Kezirian, adding that Winquist shared kind words about the quality of the special investigators’ work. 

Rhode Island SPCA does not receive any local, state, or federal funding, and is not affiliated with any national humane organization. The organization relies on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations to provide critical programs and services for the animals and people in the community. On a regular basis, the organization sees cases involving people in difficult financial situations who cannot take care of animals. Rhode Island SPCA also sees troubling cases involving domestic violence where a domestic partner may take their aggression out on the pet of the other partner.

Kezirian said the organization recently had a case in Providence where a dog was killed by a partner.

“Those cases occur all too frequently,” Kezirian said, adding that the organization feels the definition of domestic violence within Rhode Island should be expanded to include the pet of a partner involved in a domestic case.

The organization currently has two full-time investigators and the funding from the patches is a big help to the organization.

“By purchasing this patch, you will help Moses’s legacy live on and hopefully prevent other animals from suffering such a terrible fate,” CPD wrote via Facebook.

Rhode Island SPCA will soon be opening a new facility in Warwick – the additional space will allow them to add a third special investigator to its ranks. The agency receives roughly 2,000 complaints yearly and the additional personnel will allow them to respond to more cases.

To purchase a patch, visit cpdcares.company.site/. To learn more about the Rhode Island SPCA, visit rispca.com/about-us/.