Animal_Control

Policy 808CSU Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentAnimal Control - 1Animal Control 808.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for interacting with animals and responding to calls for service that involve animals. 808.2 POLICY It is the policy of the CSU Police Department to be responsive to the needs of the community regarding animal-related issues. This includes supporting Campus policies, and enforcing local, state and federal laws relating to animals and appropriately resolving or referring animal-related problems, as outlined in this policy. 808.3 XXANIMALCONTROLXX RESPONSIBILITIES Animal control services are generally the primary responsibility of city and/or county Animal Control departments and include: (a)Animal-related matters during periods when Animal Control is available. (b)Ongoing or persistent animal nuisance complaints. Such complaints may be scheduled, if reasonable, for handling during periods that Animal Control is available for investigation and resolution. (c)Follow-up on animal-related calls, such as locating owners of injured animals. Local non-profit animal support organizations may also be utilized as an additional resource. 808.4 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES Members who respond to or assist with animal-related calls for service should evaluate the situation to determine the appropriate actions to control the situation. Due to the hazards of handling animals without proper training and equipment, responding members generally should not attempt to capture or pick up any animal, but should keep the animal under observation until the arrival of appropriate assistance. Members may consider acting before the arrival of such assistance when: (a)There is a threat to public safety. (b)An animal has bitten someone. Members should take measures to confine the animal and prevent further injury. (c)An animal is creating a traffic hazard. (d)An animal is seriously injured. (e)The owner/handler of an animal has been arrested or is incapacitated. In such circumstances, the member should find appropriate placement for the animal. (a)This is only necessary when the arrestee is expected to be in custody for a time period longer than would reasonably allow them to properly care for the animal. CSU Police Department Policy Manual Animal Control Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentAnimal Control - 2(b)With the owner's consent, locating appropriate placement may require contacting relatives or neighbors to care for the animal. (c)If no person can be found or the owner does not or cannot give consent, the animal should be taken to a designated animal care facility. 808.5 ANIMAL CRUELTY COMPLAINTS Laws relating to the cruelty to animals should be enforced, including but not limited to Penal Code § 597 et seq. (cruelty to animals, failure to care for animals). (a)An investigation should be conducted on all reports of animal cruelty. (b)Legal steps should be taken to protect an animal that is in need of immediate care or protection from acts of cruelty. 808.6 ANIMAL BITE REPORTS Members investigating an animal bite should obtain as much information as possible for follow-up with the appropriate health or animal authorities. Efforts should be made to capture or otherwise have the animal placed under control. Members should attempt to identify and notify the owner of the final disposition of the animal. 808.7 STRAY DOGS If a stray dog has a license or can otherwise be identified, the owner should be contacted, if possible. If the owner is contacted, the dog should be released to the owner and a citation may be issued, if appropriate. If a dog is taken into custody, it shall be transported to the appropriate animal care facility. Members shall provide reasonable treatment to animals in their care (e.g., food, water, shelter). 808.8 DANGEROUS ANIMALS In the event responding members cannot fulfill a request for service because an animal is difficult or dangerous to handle, the Watch Commander will be contacted to determine available resources, including requesting the assistance of animal control services from an allied agency. 808.9 PUBLIC NUISANCE CALLS RELATING TO ANIMALS Members should diligently address calls related to nuisance animals (e.g., barking dogs), as such calls may involve significant quality-of-life issues. 808.10 DECEASED ANIMALS When a member becomes aware of a deceased animal, all reasonable attempts should be made to preliminarily determine if the death of the animal is related to criminal activity. Deceased animals on public property should be removed, sealed in a plastic bag, and properly disposed of by the responding member. CSU Police Department Policy Manual Animal Control Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/05, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentAnimal Control - 3Members should not climb onto or under any privately owned structure for the purpose of removing a deceased animal. When handling deceased animals, members should attempt to identify and notify the owner of the final disposition of the animal. 808.11 INJURED ANIMALS When a member becomes aware of an injured domesticated animal, all reasonable attempts should be made to contact an owner or responsible handler. If an owner or responsible handler cannot be located, the animal should be taken to a veterinarian and notice shall be given to the owner pursuant to the requirements of Penal Code § 597.1. 808.11.1 VETERINARY CARE The injured animal should be taken to a veterinarian as follows: (a)During normal business hours