Noelle, Joan Phillips, Kathleen Rice, Deputy Bureau Chief Bernadette Ford and Assistant DA Jed Painter at a press conference March 2.

One year after Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice created the Animal Cruelty Unit  prosecutions of animal abuse cases have more than quadrupled and the unit’s hotline has received more than 700 tips.

“Animal abuse is important because very often it can be an indicator of other problems like domestic abuse, child abuse or gang violence,” Rice said Wednesday at a news conference outside of the Animal Lover’s League in Glen Cove. Animal abuse prosecutions averaged about two a year in the past but have risen to 16 since the unit started last February.

While highlighting success stories, Rice and the animal advocates introduced Noelle, a German Sheppard who was rescued in December from an owner who neglected her until she was emaciated. She also had a severe hip injury that veterinarians believe was the result of being hit by a car over a year ago. The dog endured a four hour surgery and is now recuperating at the Animal Lover’s League.

“From what she’s been through, she deserves the best life ever,” Joan Phillips, president and co-founder of the Animal Lover’s League said. Phillips is accepting applications for adoption of Noelle, though she needs to be fully healed before she can go to a new home. Volunteers are also needed to help walk Noelle as part of her physical therapy.

Rice is also drafting legislation that would restructure animal abuse laws and place them under the Penal law. Animal abuse cases are currently under Agricultural and Markets Laws.

She seeks to increase penalties for repeat offenders, create specific laws against animal abduction and make aggravated cruelty a violent felony offense.

Residents are asked to call in to the unit’s hotline at (516) 571-ACHL (2245) if they think an animal is being abused. Callers can be kept anonymous.