Policy Text
TOM DaRé , CHIEF OF POLICE
Professional Standards Division NUMBER: 2021 -05
ISSUED: March 31, 2021
CITY OF GARDEN GROVE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
AFTER HOURS ANIMAL SERVICES RESPONSE
The City of Garden Grove Animal Care Services is committed to providing a high level of quality
service to the community. The unit is dedicated to ensure the safety and welfare of animals and
people. There is an Animal Control Officer (ACO) in the city Monday – Sunday 8am – 6:30pm. On
some major holidays an ACO is on call and doing emergency calls only. Routine calls are only
handled during 8am – 6:30pm when the ACO is on-duty; however, 24 -hour service is provided for
the following circumstances:
ANIMAL HIT BY CAR
A police officer is dispatched to determine if a dog, cat or wildlife (generally a skunk, opossum,
raccoon, coyote, bird or bat) is still alive after a collision with a vehicle, then the ACO may be
notifie d for an after -hours response. (If no police officer is available due to high call volume, then
an ACO can be called directly in. Please note in call notes) If an owner of an injured animal is
present at the scene of the collision, then it is their responsibility, by law, to provide care for their
animal. Obtain driver’s license information of the ow ner so the ACO can do a health check on the
animal during the next business day. If owner is unknown and cannot wait for ACO to respond,
animal should be taken to either OC Emergency Pet Clinic at 12750 Garden Grove Blvd. (Business
hours 6pm – 7am, Mon -Sat and 24 hours on Sundays) or Community Veterinary Clinic at 13200
Euclid St (M -Sat 8am -5:30pm, closed Sundays).
SICK OR INJURED ANIMAL
Wildlife – Located on public or pr ivate property showing signs of being injured, disoriented, or
vomiting while not ha ving the ability to leave the property on its own will.
WILDLIFE TRESPASS
Bat - If a bat is located inside a private residence or business, then an after -hours response is
needed. If a bat is located outside of the property and is dead, then a response b y animal control
will be the done the next business day. Obtain driver’s license information of calling party or
address of occurrence for the ACO. (Most often in Orange County, rabies is found in bats and the
bat needs to be tested).
Skunk , Opossum, Raccoon or Bird : If located inside a private residence or business where the
wildlife could injure a human, then an after -hours response is needed. If located inside attic or
under a house, then this is not an Animal Care Services issue. The affected party will have to call
a pest company for removal.
TRAINING BULLETIN
Coyote – Posing immediate threat to human life. If coyote is in the backyard and the family is
safely inside the house, then an after -hours response is not needed.
OWNER ARRESTED OR INCAPACITATED IN VEHICLE
If animal owner or responsible party is arrested, or found incapacitated, and they do not have
anyone local to take custody of the animal before their vehicle is towed, then two options are
available. If the officer feels the animal is safe to handle then it can be taken to the Public Works
Yard, Animal Control building. The incident number and other information can be filled out on the
clipboard located on the large dog kenne ls. Provide food and water for the animal that is located
in the building. If the officer feels the animal is unsafe to handle then an after -hours response is
needed by the ACO; the police officer should stay with the animal until relieved by the ACO. The
owner may opt to release the care of the animal to another occupant of the vehicle, if any.
ARRESTED OR INCAPACITATED IN DWELLING
If an animal owner or responsible party is arrested, or found incapacitated, and has no one (within
a couple hours from time of arrest) to come and care for the animal, then an after -hours response
is needed by the ACO. If additional residents are in the home, then the animal can be left with
them.
AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL
Posing an immediate threat to public safety.
DOG BI TE
If dog is running loose and causing immediate harm to the public and no owner can be located to
secure the dog, then an after -hours response is needed by the ACO. If owner is located and dog
is secured, obtain the animal owner’s information and dog -bite victim’s information for a next
business day response by the ACO. Dispatch will have access to the Garden Grove pet license
database to help locate animal owners. For animals licensed by other agencies (County,
Westminster, etc.), contact that agency for assistance.
Circumstances that do not warrant an after -hours response by the ACO:
• Confined animals
• Dead animals (unless it poses an immediate hazard to the public)
• Animals brought into the station (Get RP’s info for a day response)
• Loose dogs that are just walking around causing no threat to the public
• Barking dogs ( Advise resident to file complaint via city website, under animal services)
If the A