The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law, protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight game protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York state.
In the first half of 2025, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement fielded an estimated 45,000 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 18,934 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 9,440 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
In 2024, the Division fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in ECOs and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations.
Owl in Distress – Hancock
On Aug. 23, ECO Dustin Osborne responded to a call regarding an injured owl in the town of Hancock. Osborne arrived at the location and observed a great horned owl that appeared weak and unable to fly. Osborne carefully captured the bird and transported it to a wildlife rehabilitator for treatment. DEC checked with the wildlife rehabilitator and learned the owl unfortunately died due to severe internal injuries. Great horned owls are common statewide and are typically found in a wide variety of habitats.
