Just this week, on February 19, 2025, Rich and I had a scheduled meeting with Jack Stollsteimer, the District Attorney of Delaware County, to discuss animal cruelty. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to meet with Jack and instead met with Margie McAboy, Director of Policy and Public Engagement, and Sean McNabb, an Assistant District Attorney (A.D.A.).
It was a productive meeting where we shared the mission of Delco Loves Animals (DLA)—why we started it and what we hope to accomplish. Our main focus that day was animal cruelty, as we had been hearing that the D.A.'s office was prosecuting cases but that offenders were, at best, receiving only a slap on the wrist for their crimes against animals. We were assured that this was not the case and that these offenses are indeed being prosecuted. But that raises an important question: Where do we go from here?
Our next step in the fight against animal cruelty is to spread awareness throughout Delco, ensuring that mayors, police chiefs, officers, and local councils understand the importance of making appropriate arrests and conducting thorough investigations. Without their commitment, cases of animal abuse could slip through the cracks, or worse, abusers could walk free on technicalities. The real question is: Will they rise to the challenge? We hope so—but the only way to know for sure is to engage with them directly, observe, and hold them accountable. And for that, we need boots on the ground.
Now, here's an interesting twist. On Thursday night, I was invited to a meeting where candidates running in the May 20th primary election were in attendance. And guess who I met there? If you guessed our District Attorney, Jack Stollsteimer, you’re absolutely right!
I introduced myself to Jack and mentioned that Rich and I had been scheduled to meet with him just the day before, but due to circumstances, we ended up speaking with Margie and Sean instead. I explained our concerns and shared that we had heard claims suggesting that the D.A.'s office isn’t prosecuting enough animal cruelty cases. Not that they aren’t prosecuting any—but not as many as they need to. Jack himself reassured me that this was not true.
I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet him in person and ask that question directly. Hearing it not only from Margie and Sean but also from the D.A. himself gives me the determination to take further steps. There’s something powerful about receiving confirmation firsthand—it gives me hope that real change is not only possible but with talking to the right people, change will happen!
I don't think anyone would disagree that animal cruelty is a serious issue that impacts not only animals but also children and society as a whole. Studies show that 100% of serial killers harmed animals in their childhood, and those who abuse animals are more likely to harm people as well. Animal cruelty is not an isolated act—it often reflects larger underlying issues in a person's life, especially in their home environment, which is particularly true for children.
At Delco Loves Animals, we care deeply about both animals and people. We understand the deep connections between them and believe that addressing the root causes of animal cruelty can lead to healthy change for animals, children, and families in crisis. Many children long for love, stability, self-control, forgiveness, care, and nurturing, but unfortunately, not all receive them. By doing our part in helping to break the cycle of abuse, we aim to foster healthier relationships for both humans and animals, and we are committed to doing everything we can.
If you have experience in law enforcement, pastoral care, counseling, abuse recovery, or any field related to animal cruelty and family crises, we would love to hear from you and welcome you to join us in this important effort. We can be reached at delcolovesanimals@gmail.com or 484-388-9259. Thank you!
Additional links related to animal abuse:
1. https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/04-2019/animal_cruelty.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIHx19leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHV5BbgxfTxqv_v5jor-f9SZYqHw67YMPNYqwL5atZzRrRTNh4DpEZPYvxg_aem_5wWf9FWe_uwhqolvhYXfng
2. https://aldf.org/article/the-link-between-cruelty-to-animals-and-violence-toward-humans-2/
3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0886260520928640
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