The Animal Welfare Junction

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Dr. Nancy Bradley discusses the use of ballistic information in animal related crimes.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

When we think of hunting crimes, our first thought may be illegal hunting. In this case however, the hunters were the victims of a long-running scam. Dr. Eileen Roy-Zokan from University of Florida takes us through an investigation that started with a citizen concern and developed into a puzzle that would be solved through DNA and multi-agency collaboration.

This case brings together many of the presentations in the conference, and is a great example of the importance of events like this that aim to teach new concepts and encourage...

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Dr. Adam Stern, Dr. Eileen Roy-Zokan, and Victoria Bradley describe what is Wildlife Forensics and how crime scene investigation techniques, DNA analysis, and animal victim examination can help build these cases for prosecution.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Tonia Smith from the Orange County Sheriff's Office shares with us how fingerprints are used in investigations to rule people in/out, what information can be obtained and myths of fingerprint science. She also offers some guidance on collection and submission of evidence that may contain fingerprints.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Dr. Larry Garcia, Associate Professor at the University of Florida, shares his experience at the UF Distaster Reponse Team.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Dr. Laurie Millward from the Ohio State University describes clinical pathology and its uses in assisting in cases of animal neglect and cruelty.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Humane World for Animals' Case Manager, Shalimar Oliver, gives up a brief description of the puppy mill pipeline and how consumers can protect themselves if they become victim of this trade.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Jamie McManus, civil litigation attorney and former prosecutor, shares with us the importance of private citizens in the reporting of suspected animal abuse and neglect. While they play an important role in recognition and reporting, they can also jeopardize the case and even themselves if they take the law into their own hands.

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

Dr. Rachel Sheffler shares information on the use of toxicology for the identification of substances that may be present in an animal victim of crime.

Welcome to the 2026 Animal ForensiCon. This year the conference is in Orlando, Florida and Dr. Adam Stern joins us to talk about what we can expect from this year's speakers

For more information about the Animal ForensiCon, visit https://animalforensics.vetmed.ufl.edu/training/2026-animal-forensicon/

The 2026 Animal ForensiCon in Orlando, Florida

BUGS!!! Dr. Samantha Sawyer shares information about what we can and cannot learn from insects in crime scene investigations as well as the do's and don'ts of insect collection.

For more information about the Animal ForensiCon, visit https://animalforensics.vetmed.ufl.edu/training/2026-animal-forensicon/

After a long investigation, the Union County Prosecutor's Office proceeded to indict Steffen Baldwin with the help of Detective Jim Conroy.

This episode, the last in the series, takes our listeners through the process of indictment, trial, and sentencing with the help of the prosecutors who filed the charges, Melissa Chase and Cortland Perry.

We appreciate your support and, if you haven't yet, please take a moment to like, rate, and share this episode. Together we can help animals and our communities.

From Humane Society Director to Humane Agent to Trainer, Steffen Baldwin made his way through different animal welfare organizations leaving a path of destruction behind. But his greed and desire for fame eventually caught up to him when he met with people willing to stand up to him and hold him responsible for his actions.

This episode explores Steffen's failures as a trainer for Save Them Dogs, his attempts to be on Animal Planet, and theft from donors and non-profits. It all comes full circle as we go back to Remi's story and his Escape to LA.<...

The case of Steffen Baldwin is often defined by the animals he failed—but the animals were not the end goal. They were a means to power, manipulation, and personal gain.

In this episode, special guest Maya Badham joins us to examine how Baldwin used animals as tools of coercive control—not only over intimate partners, but also over individuals drawn into his schemes. Together, we explore the patterns behind his behavior, how he was able to evade accountability for so long, and why so many people were vulnerable to his manipulation.

This conversation aims to p...

WARNING: Real stories of domestic violence

In this episode we learn about how Steffen used dogs to manipulate vulnerable people. The LINK between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty is well known, and Steffen is just another example of how malicious and manipulative these abusers can be.

You can help us expand our reach by following, rating, and sharing our series. Together we can make a difference for both animal and the people who care for them.

Episode 7 is the story of some of the dogs Steffen failed. We talk about Sammie, Beretta and Cheyenne as well as some of the collateral damage in their stories.

In this episode, we are joined by trainer Jenny Falvey in discussing how Steffen failed these dogs behaviorally.

These episodes discuss sensitive topics, and we hope they can help these animals get a voice and help listeners avoid people like Steffen, who claimed to want to help but in the end just had his own interests in mind.

You can help us by rating...

Season One: State vs Steffen Baldwin / Episode 6: The Con Whisperer

We will be diving into the stories of Baldwin's victims. In this episode, we discuss:

Some of these dogs survived him, others were not as lucky. We want to share their stories and that of the people who cared about them.

Throughout the next episodes, we will talk about the animal and human victims of Steffen Baldwin. These episodes include interviews, news stories, and courtroom testimony during Baldwin's trial.

These episodes cover sensitive topics such as animal...

Steffen Baldwin lied about his credentials and past experience to enter the animal world through the Union County Humane Society. With lies, deception, and the help of social media, he developed a persona who gained the trust of the animal welfare community. Due to his perceived greatness as the Executive Director of Union County, he was hired to run the Top of Ohio Shelter in Bellefontaine, Ohio. In his short period of employment, he took a promising yet struggling shelter to a point of no return.

Like this series? Help us by liking, rating and sharing. You...

The Animal Welfare Junction Season One: State v. Steffen Baldwin / Episode 4 The Rise to Fame Part 2

If you have not listened to Part 1, pause and come back after you have listened to or watched Part 1.

This episode is presented in two parts, both released simultaneously.

Investigators, witnesses and victims share their experiences as Steffen Baldwin rose to fame as an animal advocate.

This episode is available on YouTube by searching for the Animal Welfare Junction. YouTube episodes contain video and pictures of the case.

The Animal Welfare Junction Season One: State v. Steffen Baldwin / Episode 4 The Rise to Fame Part 1

This episode is presented in two parts, both released simultaneously.

Investigators, witnesses and victims share their experiences as Steffen Baldwin rose to fame as an animal advocate.

This episode is available on YouTube by searching for the Animal Welfare Junction. YouTube episodes contain video and pictures of the case.

Season 1: State vs Steffen Baldwin / Episode 3: Who is Steffen Baldwin?

Steffen Baldwin fooled the animal welfare world with his “masked persona”, presenting himself as a dog savior when in fact he was harming and killing the dogs he was asked to help. But how does someone evolve into this? What factors in someone’s childhood effect the person we become?

In this episode, Author James Renner, talks about his research into Baldwin’s childhood and early adulthood to help our audience understand a bit of the person behind the mask. We may not truly understand him, but...

Season 1: State vs Steffen Baldwin / Episode 2: The Rabbit Hole

After finding out that Steffen had secretly euthanized Remi, the Kargakos’ found themselves looking for someone to investigate Steffen and get to the truth of what happened to Remi.

In Episode Two, Officer Jim Conroy, from the Mahoning County Police Department, takes us through the beginning of the investigation, how he became involved and how looking into Remi's story took him into a complex case, filled with more crimes everywhere he looked.

Share and Like this episode to help us reach more people! This ca...

Season 1: State v Steffen Baldwin / Episode 1: Remi

Steffen Baldwin gained popularity in the State of Ohio as a "dog savior", proclaiming that he could rehabilitate and rehome any dog, including those deemed dangerous and not adoptable. He spent years sharing his "success" stories, but the truth was revealed when one of his victims, Litsa Kargakos, discovered his horrific scheme which claimed the lives of many dogs and hurt the people who cared about them.

In Episode One, Dr. G and Litsa share the story of Remi, his fate, and how it started a long court...

Dr. João Bittar, Assistant Professor of Beef Cattle Extension at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about the importance of long-distance observation of livestock in determining their physical and behavioral health.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock inv...

Dr. Federico Grosso, Clinical Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the importance of x-rays in diagnosing the cause and consequences of trauma to the chest.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, an...

Denise Boyd, researcher with the  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shares with us the dangers faced by manatees, dolphins and whales in Southwest Florida from collisions with boats.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is op...

Dr. Jennifer Bonovich gives us an overview of the role of the sheter veterinarian in forensic cases and how animal cruelty cases can be pursued “on a budget”.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open t...

Dr. Becky Morrow, founder of Frankie’s Friends, gives us an overview of the role of the veterinarian in forensic cases including testifying in court.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to anyone inte...

Laura Koivula,  director of Animal Crimes and Investigations for Humane World for Animal’s Animal Rescue Team, discusses the LINK between animal cruelty and family violence. 

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to anyone i...

Can the internet be a resource for criminal investigations? Jacob Lloyd, from the Animal Welfare Investigations Project, shares with us do’s and don’ts of internet searching in animal crimes.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This c...

If you ever watched the show Bones, here is the real thing. Verity Mathis talks about the collection of species and how they can help with identification of unknown samples.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This co...

FBI Agent Lauren Regucci discusses the FBI’s 12-step approach to evidence collection and the importance of properly documenting a crime scene.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to anyone interested in animal fore...

Justin McClure, Agriculture Investigator for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, shares information on the evaluation of livestock for cruelty and neglect and gives advise on how to assess their condition to determine if a crime is being committed.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, smal...

Laura Hope, Assistant State Attorney for the 5th Circuit, shares information on jury selection and expert witness testimony in jury trials.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to anyone interested in animal forensic inv...

Janette Reever, dogfighting expert from the Humane World for Animals gives a quick review on dogfighting, what to look for and document both to present a strong criminal case.

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is...

The 2025 Animal ForensiCon: The Animal Forensic Investigations Conference is a three-day event, offered in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida from May 7th to 9th, 2025. The conference is hosted by the University of Florida’s Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory.

ForensiCon offers workshops and educational sessions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to criminal investigations, law, small animal investigations, equine and livestock investigations, and wildlife crimes. This conference is open to anyone interested in animal forensic investigations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with faculty, experts, and investigators.

Day One: Dr. G interviewed the speakers fo...

Join us on a behind the scenes look at the HBO documentary Chimp Crazy. Dr. G is joined by Brittany Peet,  General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement for the PETA Foundation, and Angela Scott, volunteer turned whistleblower who helped rescue several chimps from the Missouri Primate Foundation. On this episode, we discuss the documentary as well as some facts not mentioned on the show. Brittany Peet also shares an overview of the Captive Primate Safety Act, and how we need this legislation for the welfare of primates and the safety of humans.

You can help us pr...

Last year, a case came before the Ohio Supreme Court that challenged the legal status of dogs and cats as companion animals based on being "kept". Dr. G's guests, Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutors Tasha Forchione and Sarah Hutnik, will take you through the entire process, from the initial guilty verdict to the court of appeals, and ultimately their work presenting this case at the Ohio Supreme Court. This case was important beyond justice for this cat and accountability for Mr. Kyles. You will hear about other cases that were directly impacted by the Supreme Court's decision.

Ohio...

Are you successful at reaching your clients, donors, or adopters? We do not have a single audience, and our message has to be directed towards a multitude of individuals if we want to make a difference in the lives of animals. This is not always an easy task, but it is not an impossible one either.

To help us learn the different ways in which we can reach our audience, and the importance of understanding the community in which we live in, Dr. G has invited Mia Navedo-Williams to discuss marketing and communications in multi-cultural environments.

Kathleen Wood, Senior Staff Attorney for The Animal Legal Defense Fund (aldf.org), joins Dr. G to discuss the 2023 ALDF State Animal Protection Ranking Report. Learn about the purpose and the information found on this document, and how it can help promote better animal protection laws in every state.

You can help us spread the word and protect more animals from cruelty and neglect by liking, rating, and sharing the podcast. Together we can make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere.

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