ANIMAL SERVICES
As of July 1, 2009, Culver City began its two-year Animal Services pilot program. The first ever Culver City Animal Services Officer is now handling animal related calls for service and investigations in the city. The new program is under the supervision of the police department. The Officer will be on duty Monday - Thursday, 10am - 8pm. During the off service hours, Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control will be covering calls-for-service.
In the event of a dog attack or other emergencies, call the Culver City Police Department at (310) 837-1221. Please do not call 911 unless there is a threat to human life.
When the Culver City Animal Services Officer is not on duty, calls to the Culver City Police Department will be routed to the Los Angeles County/Carson Shelter at (310) 523-9566.
THE
MAIN DUTIES OF AN ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER
1. Take digital photos of impounded animals (except wildlife)
and post them on the applicable city or county web site along with a
description of the animal to assist owners looking for lost pets.
2. Transport strays without ID to a shelter.
3. Keep records and answer questions from the public about
specific animals.
4. Immediately euthanize animals who are irremediably suffering.
5. Administer bordetella vaccination for dogs prior to
entering a shelter.
6. Seize dangerous or vicious dogs and present information
at hearings on their disposition.
7. Identify locations where a sign is needed to educate
the public, such as areas where animal abandonment is an ongoing problem,
to help reduce the number of animals impounded in the future.
8. Pick up dead animals promptly.
9. Patrol regularly to minimize complaints of animals in
violation of leash or pooper-scooper laws.
10. Offer temporary ID tags and a written warning, or issue
citations for repeat offenders.
11. Inspect pet shops and other animal-related businesses
(including temporary animal exhibitions) on a complaint basis.
12. Help resolve and minimize barking dog disturbances.
13. Help residents live with wildlife.
14. Investigate reports of neglect or abuse (cruelty or
humane investigations) and mediate disputes where treatment of a neighbor’s
animal is a serious concern, but not technically illegal.
15. Work with other city employees to minimize animal abandonment
throughout the city.
16. Work with the local police and fire departments on
calls involving animals (for example, assist residents who need help
as a result of fire or medical emergency, remove animals from crime scenes
and assist in natural disasters or large-scale emergencies).
17. Enforce local ordinances and state/federal law.
18. Work with volunteers on developing and presenting humane
education programs to schools and community groups.
19. Establish relationships with local veterinarians.
20. Provide information on low cost spay/neuter and vaccination
programs.
21. Hold low-cost rabies vaccination clinics with support
from local veterinarians and volunteers.
22. Work with local rescue groups to help resolve problems.
23. Participate in large community “pet fairs” and
adoption events.
24. Show a deep concern for public safety and a sincere
compassion for all the animals in the community.
25. Participate in ongoing training as needed.
26. Display to the community an attitude of protecting
animals from people, as well as people from animals.
27. Foster humane treatment of all animals.
28. Spend time needed to educate residents on the basis
for certain laws.
29. Prepare appropriate reports.
30. Immediately transport an injured animal of any kind to a local contract
veterinarian and do follow-up as needed.
31. Check for identification, including microchips.
32. Contact owners immediately and return animals to owners
as soon as possible, issuing citations as applicable (known as “Return
in the Field”).
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ANIMAL SHELTERS
SPCA-LA – HAWTHORNE SHELTER IS NOW SERVICING CULVER CITY
As of January 5, 2009, Culver City began contracting with SPCA-LA for ALL animal sheltering services – pets, wildlife, all live healthy and injured animals, adoptions, lost and found animals, dead animals and more.www.spcala.org
NO CULVER CITY ANIMAL IS TO BE TAKEN TO THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FACILITY IN CARSON.
Where: SPCA-LA Shelter in Hawthorne (South Bay Shelter)
12910 Yukon Avenue, Hawthorne, California 90250 (310) 676-1149
Hours: Wednesday – Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Telephone messages can be left 24/7 and are returned as quickly as possible.
Exception: A critically injured animal will be taken first to the City-appointed EMERGENCY VET CLINIC: City of Angels, 9599 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City 90232, Telephone: (310) 558-6100, open 24/7. As soon as the animal is stabilized, it will be transported to the SPCA-LA shelter in Hawthorne.
Los Angeles City Shelters
The closest Los Angeles City shelter is located at 11361 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles 90025 in West Los Angeles. The nearest main cross street is Sawtelle. LA City Animal Services covers an area adjacent to Culver City and your pet may have picked up in that area. The telephone number is (310) 207-3266.
You can also check the South Los Angeles shelter at 3612 Eleventh Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90018, telephone numbers: (213) 485-0117 and (213) 485-0119.
LA County Shelters - (Carson Shelter is closest to Culver City)
You must go in person to the Los Angeles County/Carson Shelter, located at 216 W. Victoria Street in Carson (two blocks east of Figueroa & 190th). Only you can identify your animal. This shelter takes in thousands of animals a year. Do not call to ask if they have your animal; you must go and look. Some, but not all, animals in the shelter are shown on the County website. It is imperative that you go to the Carson Shelter in person to determine whether your pet is there.
The daily "Live/Dead" animal log, in the Carson shelter lobby,
is a record of the animals picked up by the County. You should examine
that log to see if an animal described as similar to yours has been picked
up. Ask shelter staff to show you where to find the Live/Dead animal
log.
Ask a kennel attendant to take you to any area where your
animal may be, such as observation, new strays, and clinic. Be patient
but persistent.
Santa Monica Animal Control and Shelter
Website Located at 1640 9th St., Santa Monica, 90401
Telephone - 310.458.8594.
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Keep your veterinarian’s phone number in an easily
accessible place for use in emergencies.
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The ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year, and can be reached (888) 426-4435.
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CULVER
CITY IN-HOUSE PET LICENSING:
(310) 253-6015
New Dog License Requirements!
Without identifying information, pets separated from their
human companions cannot be reunified with their families. To help resolve
these issues, Culver City has launched Project ARF—Culver City’s
new in-house licensing program. As of July 1, 2007, all dogs must be licensed.
• Licenses are now issued at City Hall. 9770 Culver
Blvd., 1st floor, Culver City, CA 90232.
•You need to bring three things:
(1) Proof of vaccination
(2) Proof that your pet has been spayed or neutered
(3) Proof that your pet is micro chipped
• Annual
License Fees : $25/dog. Checks or cash only.
• If you think you qualify for an exemption, you may call: (310)
253-6015.
• Applications and information can be obtained at City Hall or
through
their website.
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USEFUL
LEGAL INFORMATION
For information on local laws: http://www.amlegal.com/culvercity_ca/
For information on Los Angeles County: http://animalcare.lacounty.gov
For information on California state law: www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Animal Abandonment: Anyone
who abandons an animal is subject to a $500 fine and/or up to six months
in jail. (California Penal Code Sec. 597S).
Backyard Breeder -- Dog Breeding License Required:
Any person, except for someone having a valid kennel license who,
for pay or other compensation, breeds a female dog must obtain an
animal breeding permit. The permit fee is $125. In order to prevent
the over-breeding of animals, each permit authorizes the whelping
of no more than one litter per female dog in any 12-month period
and no more than one litter per domestic household in any 12-month
period. (Los Angeles County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.20.045 and 10.90.010).
Barking Dogs: Any pet owner or custodian who allows
a dog to bark continuously or for an extended period of time in a
manner that annoys the neighbors and disturbs the peace and tranquility
of the neighborhood may be guilty of allowing a public nuisance and
punishable by a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1000 and/or six
months in jail. (California Penal Code 373A and L. A. County Code
Sec. 10.40.065)
Confining Animals in a Car: Anyone who leaves or
confines an animal in an unattended vehicle that endangers the
health or well-being of the animal may be guilty of either an infraction
or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. (California Penal
Code 597.7)
Dangerous Dogs: Dogs that constitute a public menace
may be impounded and removed from the custody of their owner. The
Department may file a petition with the Municipal Court to determine
the disposition of an animal considered to be dangerous. The owner
of such an animal may be fined and forced to give up or dispose of
his dog. (County Code Sections 10.37.020. 10/37.040 - 10.37.150)
Dogs In Open Vehicles: It is illegal to transport
any dog in or on the back or bed of any open truck or other open
vehicle while traveling on any county road, street, highway, lane
or alley. Violation may result in citation, court appearance and
fines of up to $250 per incident. EXCEPTION: Dogs may be transported
if each animal is cross-tethered securely or the sides of the open
vehicle are built up to a height of 46 inches (3-feet, 10-inches)
(Vehicle Code Sec. 23117)
Inhumane Treatment: State Penal Code Sec. 597 and
County Code Sec. 10.12.160 forbid the abusing, mistreatment, torturing
and subjecting any animal to needless suffering. These laws provide
that no animal may be deprived of proper food, water or shelter.
Violation of these laws can result in felony charges. Please report
any case of inhumane animal treatment or neglect to your local animal
control agency.
The Leash Law: It is not permissible to let your
dog run at large day or night, with or without a license (County
Code Title 10, Section 10.32.010).
Yearly Licensing Requirements: State law and county
ordinances require that a dog license be purchased every year and
be securely fastened to the dog’s collar. Licenses are required
at four months of age or older, even for dogs that never leave a
house or yard. Failure to license your dog may result in citations,
a court appearance and fines (Calif. Health and Safety Code Sec.
1920, Calif. Food and Agriculture Code Sec. 30502 and County Code
Sec. 10.20.190). Cat licenses are also required in all county unincorporated
areas and several contract cities.
Providing Adequate Food And Water: All pet owners
are required by law to provide their animals with adequate food and
water. Failure to comply with this humane pet care measure is a violation
of California Penal Code Sec. 597E and County Code Title 10, Sec.
10.40.010.
Providing Proper Shelter: A dog must be provided
access to shelter from extremes of heat or cold and rain at all times.
(Calif. Penal Code Sec.597A and County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.40.010)
Running At Large: No person who owns or has charge
of a dog may allow the animal to run at large. Dogs must be kept
on a leash at all times when out of their yards. Violation may result
in a citation, court appearance and a fine of up to $250. (County
Code Title 10, Sec. 10.32.010)
Tethering Dogs: It is illegal to tether a dog to
any stationary object, with certain exceptions. (Health & Safety
Code, Sec. 122335)
Vaccination Requirements: Rabies vaccinations are
required for all dogs 4 months of age or older. Failure to comply
may result in a citation and a court appearance. Vaccinations must
be valid for the entire licensing period. (Calif. Health and Safety
Code, Sec. 1920 and County Code Title 10, Sec. 10.20.220)
