Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 01/24/2011 06/01/201 9 06/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS462 - Dispatch Procedures for Animal Calls 1 SS462 DISPATCH PROCEDURES FOR ANIMAL CALLS
SS462.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for handling animal related calls.
SS462.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This Procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: N/A
This Procedure relates to the following General Orders: N/A
SS462.2 PROCEDURE
Animal control handles a variety of animal related calls including barking dogs, deceased
animals (not belonging to the reporting party), injured animals, loose or vicious animals, found
and lost animals, animals locked in vehicles, animal bite reports and questions about animal
related issues.
SS462.2.1 CALL TAKING
Before it can be determined if a patrol officer needs to respond on an animal related call, certain
information must be obtained such as:
a) The address or location of the animal problem
b) If the caller is reporting an injured animal, take the information and enter a call for
service using the call type “ 905I”. Is the caller standing by with the animal? You may
either transfer the caller to Orange County Animal Care (Station 17) or disconnect with
the caller and call Station 17 and relay the information.
c) If the caller is reporting a found animal, the call may be transferred to Station 17.
d) If the caller is reporting an animal locked in a vehicle, get a vehicle description and
license plate if the caller has it. If the vehicle is in the parking lot of a business, find out
where exactly in th e parking lot and how long the animal has been locked in the vehicle.
After disconnecting, contact Station 17 and relay the information. Enter a call for service
using the call type “ WC” and in the nature of incident field notate that it is an animal
related issue. (for ex. “dog in veh”)
e) If the caller is reporting a vicious animal, ask if the animal is loose or if it has been
confined. Enter the call for service using the call type “ 905V ”. If the animal has bitten
someone, ask if the paramedics are nee ded. If so, contact OCFA. Enter a call for
service using the call type “ DOGBIT ”. Ask the caller where the animal is now.
f) If the caller is reporting a loose animal, such as a dog or duck, transfer the call to Station
17 unless the animal is creating a traffic hazard. If it is creating a hazard, enter the call
using the call type “ 905L ” and in the nature of incident field enter “causing 909t” or
simply enter the call using “ 909T ”.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 01/24/2011 06/01/201 9 06/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS462 - Dispatch Procedures for Animal Calls 2 g) If the caller is reporting a barking dog, the call should be transferred to Station 17, unless
it is after hours, then a patrol officer will be dispatched. Enter the call for service using
the call type “ 905N ”.
h) If the caller is reporting a dead animal dur ing business hours, the call can be transferred
to Station 17. If it is after hours or called in by field personnel, the call should be entered
using the call type “ 905D ” and Station 17 should be notified.
SS462.2.2 DISPATCHING THE CALL
a) Patrol officers will be dispatched after hours to vicious animals at large, injured animals,
animals locked in a vehicle, deceased animals causing a roadway hazard and barking
dog complaints.
b) Communications personnel have discretion in dispatching officers to other anima l related
calls based on the information provided.