Don't F*ck up the crime scene

🎙️🐾 DFUTCS PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: JESSICA MEINHARDT — YEAR ONE AS AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER! 🐾🎙️What is it really like to complete your first year as an Animal Control Officer (ACO)? We're sitting down with Jessica Meinhardt of Dauphin Island, Alabama Animal Control for an honest conversation about her first year on the job! On this episode of DFUTCS — Don’t F’ck Up the Crime Scene Podcast, we'll ta...

hese four titles overlap, but they communicate different roles and levels of responsibility. TitlePrimary purposeTypical settingWhat it communicatesTeacherEducate and develop understandingSchool/classroom“I teach people.”InstructorTeach specific skills or professional knowledgeAcademy, agency, professional training“I train people to do something.”Public SpeakerInform, motivate, educate, or enterta...

Muzzle wrapping is a temporary restraint technique used to prevent or limit an animal—most commonly a dog—from opening its mouth and biting during handling, transport, examination, capture, or other animal-control operations. For Animal Control Officers (ACOs), understanding muzzle wrapping is important because it can provide an additional layer of protection when dealing with a frightened, injure...

DFUTCS PODCAST INTRO — “STAY CALM: THE RETURN BITE CASE” “What’s up, ACOs! Welcome back to the DFUTCS Podcast—Don’t F’ck Up the Crime Scene! Today, we’re talking about one of the toughest situations an Animal Control Officer can face: an irate dog owner standing in front of you after their dog has been involved in a return-bite case. The owner is angry. Voices are getting louder. Emotions are runn...

Maria Crawford, 54, was killed by a family pit bull-mix on June 28, 2019. Prior to this, the dog had attacked her head region two times inflicting serious injuries, including ripping off one of her ears. After the first two attacks, Ventura County Animal Services returned the dog to the family, despite the dog's escalating owner-directed aggression targeting the owner's face and head region. Durin...

"Hey everyone, thanks for tuning back into DFUTCS! On today’s episode, we’re joined by the incredible June Collins. June has been in the pet care game for over 20 years as a professional pet sitter and veteran dog trainer, and she stopped by to share her absolute best stories, tips, and insider secrets. From handling chaotic multi-pet households to masterclasses in dog behavior, this is an episode...

Daniel Ettinger has developed several online training programs aimed at animal control officers, humane officers, shelter staff, law enforcement, and animal welfare professionals. His recent courses emphasize practical, field-based education rather than purely academic instruction. His current offerings include: 1. Certified Animal Control Professional (CACP) – Module I This is his flagship online...

DFUTCS Podcast – Easy 8's with Melissa MillerOn this episode of the Don't F'ck Up The Crime Scene (DFUTCS) Podcast, we welcome Melissa Miller for our signature Easy 8's questions before taking a deeper dive into one of the most talked-about animal control stories of the year. Melissa discusses her career in animal welfare, leadership, and public service before addressing the events that led to her...

Retirement from animal control and animal welfare is unlike many professions because the work often becomes part of your identity. After years of responding to emergencies, investigating cruelty, protecting communities, educating the public, and advocating for animals that could not speak for themselves, retirement is not simply the end of a career—it is the culmination of a lifetime of service. A...

AKRON, Ohio — A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the  fatal shooting of 15-year-old Josiah Harris last month in Akron,  according to the Akron Police Department. Police announced Thursday that, following their continued investigation into the shooting that happened on June 30, detectives signed charges against the juvenile. According to Akron police, the 14-year-old has been cha...

86-year-old woman killed while watching dog at Moore home, family says it had attacked beforeAn 86-year-old woman died after a dog she was watching attacked her at a Moore home, but a family member said this wasn't the animal's first violent incident. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Here are quite a few downsides to allowing pets to sleep in bed with you. While many people enjoy the comfort and companionship, here are the main concerns: 1. Sleep Disruption Pets often move around, change positions, snore, scratch, lick themselves, or wake up during the night. This can reduce sleep quality even if you don’t fully wake up. Dogs may stretch out and take up space. Cats are often m...

Zoonotic Diseases & Animal Control Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. For professionals in animal control, sheltering, humane investigations, and field enforcement, understanding zoonotic risk is a core part of officer safety, public health protection, and effective case management. This episode includes AI-generated content.

In May 2026, 50-year-old Jodi Cowan was fatally mauled outside her Cocoa, Florida, neighborhood. Her neighbor, 29-year-old Linda Cutler, was arrested and charged with felony manslaughter after investigations revealed she knew her dogs were dangerous and repeatedly failed to contain them. This episode includes AI-generated content.

We had Kim Schwartz on the DFUTCS Podcast to discuss court procedures, courtroom language, and the “Easy Eight’s.” It was an informative conversation covering how the judicial process works, the importance of understanding legal terminology, and practical insight from her experience serving in the Muscogee County Judicial Circuit in Columbus. This episode includes AI-generated content.

We had Dee Barns on the podcast DFUTCS for our “Easy Eight’s” segment, where we discussed his longevity in the animal control profession throughout Texas — from the days of little to no training and limited resources, to now having strong support from command staff and improved professional standards across the field. It was an awesome time catching up, sharing experiences, and hearing his perspec...

The return of Aldwin Roman from SC Humane Society (S3EP 52#) to talk about his CAWA Certification, and how it help help ever part of job duties. This episode includes AI-generated content.

I had an awesome conversation with former Animal Services shelter director Gracie Lankford Griggs regarding her struggles with the lack of support from her city commission and the failure to properly train and equip her to successfully complete the department’s mission. This episode includes AI-generated content.

On February 25, 2026, 74-year-old Diane Emily Pellington was mauled to death by three neighborhood dogs in the Hiwassee Dam community near Murphy in Cherokee County, North Carolina. The dogs were on their owner’s property at the time of the attack, which occurred on Cross Creek Lane. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Hey everyone — quick update on the case verdict. Please tune in and share your comments in the chat. This episode includes AI-generated content.

he bench trial for a father charged in the death of his 3-year-old daughter after a dog attack continued Thursday. It comes after the young girl  was mauled by dogs  during the week of Christmas in 2024. Advertisement It will be up to a panel of judges to decide whether Warren Houston is innocent or guilty. Houston  pleaded not guilty to charges  of manslaughter and child endangerment. WARNING: Th...

200 episodes strong! 🎙️For this milestone episode, I had the honor of sitting down with IAABC & CDBC certified behaviorist Jennifer Shryock. Her insight, experience, and practical guidance were next-level. We ran through our “Easy 8’s” and dove deep into one of the most important topics out there—preventing fatal incidents between children and dogs. This wasn’t just a conversation… it was life...

The return of Karen K. Sparapani (also check her out on S2EP 41# Invest in your prople), Karen and I discussed the unnecessary fatal dog mauling of a 7 year old; by canine had documented aggression propblem.  This episode includes AI-generated content.

Well needed talk about holding self and co-workers accountable at work, we get honest on this episode This episode includes AI-generated content.

A brief discussion about the complainant or owner kicking you off their property when you're attempting to just do your job! Sexy! This episode includes AI-generated content.