Policy Text
Procedure
8080Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/05/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentANIMAL HANDLING PROCEDURES - 1ANIMAL HANDLING PROCEDURES
8080.1 PURPOSE
This procedure establishes guidelines for officers and Communications personnel to follow when
Animal Services Officers (ASOs) are unavailable.
8080.2 INTRODUCTION
Officers may be called upon to handle stray, vicious, injured, or dead animal calls when ASOs are
off-duty or otherwise unavailable. Department members must understand the procedures to avoid
delays in obtaining treatment for animals and to maximize service to residents of the City.
8080.3 HANDLING INJURED/UNINJURED ANIMALS
8080.3.1 INJURED DOMESTIC ANIMALS
Injured domestic animals picked up between 2100 and 0800 hours should be taken to the Orange
County Emergency Pet Clinic (OCEPC), at 12750 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove. Between
0800 and 2100 hours, injured domestic animals and strays should be taken to Orange County
Animal Care at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin. At either facility, officers must legibly complete
appropriate intake forms, indicating where the animal was impounded and the name of the owner,
if known Officers must also notify the Animal Services Unit if an animal is taken to any facility,
including the police station. Notification must be made via a phone message at 245-8792, via
email to #PD ANIMAL SERVICES, or by red door tag left on the Animal Services Unit office door.
This notification must include the date, time, and location of the impound and a description of the
animal.
8080.3.2 INJURED WILDLIFE
Between the hours of 0800 and 2100 hours injured wildlife should be taken to Orange County
Animal Care at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin. Between 2100 and 0800 hours, certain types of injured
wildlife may be taken to Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic at 12750 Garden Grove Blvd. in
Garden Grove. Officers should call ahead (714)537-3032 for guidance. Officers shall notify the
Animal Services Unit of any wildlife taken for treatment.
8080.3.3 UNINJURED ANIMALS
There are portable kennels under the stairwell opposite the loading dock for temporary housing
of strays. Leave water in the bowl inside the kennel. When an animal is impounded and placed in
the kennel, it is mandatory that officers notify Animal Services via email at #PD Animal Services,
listing the location of the impound, date, time, and anything pertinent regarding the circumstances
of the call.
Animals shall not be placed in the K-9 runs near the North exit gate or in a parked Animal Service
unit.
Santa Ana Police Department
Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual
ANIMAL HANDLING PROCEDURES
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/05/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentANIMAL HANDLING PROCEDURES - 28080.3.4 DEAD ANIMALS
There is a chest-style freezer next to the supply room in the parking structure provided for the sole
purpose of holding deceased animals picked up by officers. Any animal placed in the freezer is to
be securely bagged and a door tag left for Animal Services.
8080.3.5 OTHER
For contractual reasons, requests for Orange County Animal Care assistance must be approved
by the Watch Commander. The County dispatch number (for police use only) is (714) 935-8428,
or they can be reached via Landline at Station 17.
Do not accept sick, injured or aggressive pets from their owners for euthanasia or any other reason.
The owners of such animals are required to take them to the County Shelter or private veterinarian
for euthanasia or other services.
1.Biting Dog Call: Owner Known – When an officer is dispatched to a biting dog call
where the owner is known, the officer must do the following:
A.Verify if a dog-to-human bite occurred (the bite must break skin.)
B.Complete a bite report and forward to Animal Services. Advise the owners to
secure the dog on the property and ASOs will follow up with any additional
investigation/quarantine procedures needed. Bite report forms are available in
the report writing bins.
C.If an officer is dispatched to a dog-vs-dog bite incident, email pertinent
information to Animal Services at #PD Animal Services.
2.Biting Dog Call: Owner Unknown – When an officer is dispatched to a biting dog call
where the owner is unknown, officers must:
A.Contact the dog bite victim to verify the bite broke skin.
B.Take a bite report; (Treating doctors are required by law to send a bite report
to the County Health Agency). An ASO will receive a copy from the County for
follow-up if the victim goes to a doctor without reporting the incident to the police.
C.Make an area check for the dog depending on the age of the call. Secure and
impound the animal if located.
D.If the bite was minor and did not break the skin, forward the information via email
to Animal Services.
3.Snare – A snare is available for use and is kept in the Station Supervisor’s office. K-9
officers may also carry them. A snare may be required to capture and transport an
animal to the station, animal hospital, shelter, or other location. Remember to return
the snare to the Station Supervisor’s office. Any time an officer imp