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Jill and Her Expert Work

I started doing legal consultation work a few years ago, and find that I really, I mean really, enjoy it. It’s like solving a mystery: I have to look at all the clues and figure out what happened, except not so much by what the people say but by knowing how dogs are by their natural behaviors. FUN!

So what makes me an “expert?” Good question! Basically, I know a lot about my subject. And I know a lot about dogs. Not everything, but quite a bit more than you might suppose.

I’d like to expand a little bit on what the qualifications on my resume mean. But I want to be clear right here and right now that I am NOT a veterinarian.  I have good, basic lay-man’s understanding of veterinary medicine, but that’s as far as it goes.

As a Canine Evaluator

Besides training my own dogs for show and competition, I have also been involved in evaluating dogs through the American Kennel Club (www.akc.org) as a Canine Good Citizen tester, and as a tester for the American Temperament Test Society (www.atts.org). I also assist in evaluating the many Rottweilers that come into our rescue program (www.rottrescuela.org).

I did teach all-breed classes and private training programs, and so my comfort with both large and small dogs is high. Of course, the more popular a breed is in the population, the more I handled it, such as Golden Retrievers, Chows, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Pit Bulls, and, of course, my chosen breed, the Rottweiler.

There are “tests” such as the one used by the ASPCA by Emily Weiss (which I like), SAFER (which I’m not so fond of), Vollrath, PAT, etc. They all have their place and merits. I’m not a fan of doing an exact test, as I like the dog to tell me who they are—and they always do. I will test them through handling and environment, and that way I am able to decide whether or not to continue in one area of their temperament or not.

As an Investigator

I am fascinated by dog bite cases. Probably because they are never simple, and never truly unforeseen. There are always red flags, and usually multiples of them. I like putting together all the puzzle pieces, and explaining what happened, how and why.

I have now taken 3 certification courses.  They are:

1. Dog Bite Investigation (HSUS): Elements of a dog bite investigation; what evidence to take and how to properly take it; case response and investigation; veterinary forensics ethology; dog-fighting involvement and injuries; different types of aggression.

2. Veterinary Forensics (HSUS): A very intense look into investigating and making cases in animal cruelty cases, involving such abuses as neglect, starvation, beating, killing, hoarding and sexual assault. Protocols in establishing timelines, collecting evidence, making a case for prosecution.

3. Veterinary Forensics: Bite Marks (ASPCA & Univ. of Florida): 2 days of reviewing animal bite marks. How to identify, preserve and prove a bite. Casting and creating a bite impression from an animal. Using photos as evidence.

As an Expert in Legal Matters

I have now worked on about a dozen cases, reviewing particulars, giving advice, writing reports, evaluating dogs. I have not testified—yet. For better or worse (depending on which side you’re on), it seems that what I have to say helps in clarifying a case and getting it settled out of court.

But Can You Speak or Write Under Pressure?

Yes and yes!! I have been a writer since junior high, where I started on the school newspaper. I then wrote about music, food and travel for high school and a bit in college, and then after college (UCLA, BA in English Lit) I morphed into dogs. I have written articles on behavior and training for 20 years now. I was the Editor of The Rottweiler Quarterly magazine for 2 years, until it sold to another party. I love to write, and do not find it chore.

I also love to talk. I have never been uncomfortable speaking to groups of people, and thoroughly enjoyed having a radio show. I’m actually looking forward to depositions and testimony because I’ll get to talk! I love to teach and explain, so this work is right up my alley.

“I’m an attorney and I want to talk to you!” or  “I would like to see your full resume.”

Great! Please call me at 310-573-9615, or email me at jillkessler@mac.com. I’m happy to discuss a case and send you information.

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