American diplomat Henry Bergh, on assignment in Russia, stopped a carriage driver from abusing his fallen horse. He would soon devote all of his time to preventing animal cruelty.
Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). At the time, the U.S. was not a friendly place for animals.
The organization led the fight against battle puppy mills, dog fighting and other forms of cruelty. It also sent staff to the Gulf Coast to assist following Hurricane Katrina.
An ASPCA partnership with the NYPD results in a 200% increase in the number of animal cruelty arrests throughout New York City.
