Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
811 Delano PD Policy Manual
Animal Control
811.1 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.
811.2 ANIMAL CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES
Animal control services are generally the primary responsibility of Animal Control 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.
811.3 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.
1. This is only necessary when the arrestee is expected to be in custody for a
time period longer than would reasonably allow him/her to properly care for the
animal.
2. With the owner’s consent, locating appropriate placement may require
contacting relatives or neighbors to care for the animal.
3. 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.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Animal Control - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department