the Houston Humane Society, the Houston SPCA, Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), the City of Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC), and the Harris County animal shelter (PHES), to deter animal cruelty and prosecute those responsible for it. Belinda is a frequent speaker on the subject of animal abuse and cruelty at programs, seminars, or classes sponsored by various institutions, including the Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Texas Law School, the University of Houston Law Center, South Texas College of Law, and assorted elementary schools, as well as at conferences or seminars sponsored by law enforcement agencies and other groups concerned with problems associated with animal welfare and abuse. She has appeared on several television episodes about animal cruelty broadcast on Animal Planet. Belinda volunteers some of her personal time and generously contributes some of her money each year to the
Houston Humane Society, a non-profit animal shelter dedicated to eliminating cruelty, abuse, and the overpopulation of animals. She and District Attorney Pat Lykos were honorees at the Humane Society’s 2009 annual gala, “The Fur Ball,” for their work in the area of animal cruelty and abuse. In addition, Belinda volunteered for and is currently chair of the HBA Animal Law Section, which was created in 2007 after she and two other HBA members suggested its formation to address legal issues in the emerging field of animal law. The Animal Law Section educates the legal community about issues affecting animals and their welfare through continuing legal education presentations, networking opportunities, and distribution of materials concerning laws, regulations, and court decisions dealing with animals. Past CLE programs sponsored by the section have included topics such as equine law, animal cruelty prosecution, and animals in entertainment.
Heights Office
12 min. drive to Courthouse
107 22nd Street (Heights) • • • • • • •
+ 7,250 SF on + 14,550 SF of land Newly renovated building Significant improvements to area underway Option to custom build interior 18 parking spots + additional street parking $1,595,000 (Fully renovated) $1,275,000 (Shell)
Christopher Dray 713-773-5528 cdray@moodyrambinint.com
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May/June 2010
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The Animal Law Section hosts an annual holiday party at which someone who has made a significant contribution to the animal welfare community is honored. It also sponsors or participates in activities such as (1) “Paw and Order SDU,” short for Special Dog Unit, which provides therapy dogs to visit with adults and children who are victims of domestic violence at the offices of the district attorney’s Family Criminal Law Division and at the Children’s Assessment Center; and (2) the Annual Crime Stoppers Anti-Dog Fighting Campaign, which raises awareness and educates the public on certain aspects of animal cruelty. Belinda says she feels fortunate to be chief of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Section and able to volunteer her time as chair of the HBA Animal Law Section, saying, “Now, with the support of District Attorney Pat Lykos, I have my dream job and I am able to promote animal welfare issues through my involvement in the HBA Animal Law Section. Volunteering with the HBA Animal Law Section is a natural extension of my duties with the DA’s office. As a prosecutor, I have a unique opportunity to promote animal welfare issues through the Animal Law Section. Sometimes my roles as Chief of the DA’s Animal Cruelty Section and Chair of the HBA Animal Law Section overlap, but the end result is twice as good because both animals and ultimately our community benefit from the programs.” Belinda, who is married and has two children, is also a member of and currently serves as Chair of the HBA Environmental Law Section, which offers monthly CLE presentations on subjects relevant to environmental laws and regulation, conservation, and law enforcement. Don Rogers is an assistant district attorney with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and a member of The Houston Lawyer editorial board.