This document establishes a uniform procedure for issuing desk citations by animal control officers at OC Animal Care. It outlines the process where an officer can initiate a citation for a violation when the citizen is not present, but their animal has been impounded. It describes completing certain fields on the citation and supplemental report, getting supervisor approval, and then having the operations desk sergeant or their designee issue the citation to the owner when they come to redeem their animal. The desk citation is intended for use in situations where compliance with laws was previously unsuccessful or directed by supervision. It provides examples of when a desk citation is warranted, such as repeat stray incidents or animals on public property like schools.

1. Number: 300.42
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF DESK CITATIONS Page: 1
Date:
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 03/20/13
I. PURPOSE
To establish a uniform procedure for an Officer to issue a Notice to Appear (Citation) for a
violation of law by a citizen who is not present at the time of the violation and the offending
animal has been impounded by OC Animal Care.
II. POLICY
All citations initiated under this procedure shall be reviewed and approved by a supervisor
prior to issuance. The Desk Citation is a tool to be used judiciously by officers. It is intended
for use in incidents where previous attempts for compliance of applicable law(s) have been
unsuccessful and additional enforcement measures are necessary or when otherwise directed or
approved by supervision or management. The following are examples of when the issuance of
a Desk Citation is warranted: 1. Repeat stray-at-large incidents on three or more occasions
within one calendar year of the first violation; 2. Animals stray on public property, such as
schools, beaches or parks; 3. Stray dogs that have been declared potentially dangerous or
vicious.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all Field Operations personnel.
IV. FORMS
Notice to Appear
Supplemental Information Report
V. REFERENCES
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.08
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not Applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Initiation by an Animal Control Officer (ACO);

2. Number: 300.42
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF DESK CITATIONS Page: 2
Date:
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 03/20/13
1. The blue highlighted sections of the Notice to Appear attachment will be
completed by the ACO in accordance with OC Animal Care Policy and
Procedure 300.08. All other sections will be left blank. All other areas
requiring completion in accordance with OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure
300.08 will be completed by the Operations Desk Sergeant or other ACO
designated by the Watch Commander.
2. The Incident Report on the reverse side of the green citation copy will be
completed as follows:
A detailed, comprehensive report shall be printed in this section on the green
copy of the Notice to Appear each time a citation is initiated.
EXAMPLE:
“On November 21, 2012 at 10:30 AM, I observed, at large, on the 300 block of
Elm Street in Brea, a male Cockapoo, black and white, approximately 2 years
old. The dog was creating a severe traffic hazard and caused several motor
vehicles to swerve in order to avoid hitting the animal. With the assistance of
the Brea Police Department and three (3) additional Animal Control Officers, I
impounded the dog from the middle of the street in front of 312 Elm Street,
Brea.”
4. The thumb print area will be left blank.
5. The officer initiating the citation shall enter his/her first initial, last name and
badge number.
6. In the Chameleon Kennel Window, the hold icon will be engaged. The hold box
will be marked with a “Y” and the Request type will be marked as “Ops Hold”.
In the memo, the Officer initiating the desk citation will list the citation number
that was issued and that the Operations Desk Sergeant, or the Watch
Commander in their absence, is to be contacted before releasing the animal.
7. The citation, the Supplemental Investigation Report (if applicable), and the
Directions for Complaint Form (if applicable) will be forwarded to the Officer’s
supervisor for approval. The Supervisor will initial the bottom tear off tab of the
citation if approved and forward to the Operations Department. If not approved,
the citation may be forwarded back to the issuing Officer for correction.
Include any information pertinent to the incident, e.g., previous citations or past
Chameleon Activity reports.
B. Completion by Operations Desk Sergeant or the Watch Commander’s Designee

3. Number: 300.42
SUBJECT: ISSUANCE OF DESK CITATIONS Page: 3
Date:
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 03/20/13
Upon notification that an animal owner/custodian is present to redeem an animal for
which a desk citation is pending, the Operations Desk Sergeant or Watch Commander’s
designee, will report to the Kennel Office and contact the animal owner. The remainder
of the Notice to Appear will be completed in accordance with OC Animal Care Policy
and Procedure 300.08 with the following exceptions:
1. The box preceding “Violations(s) not committed in my presence . . .” will be
marked with an “X.”
2. The first initial, last name and badge number of the Operations Desk Sergeant or
Watch Commander’s designee will be entered on the “Arresting or Citing
Officer” and “Badge No” lines.
3. The date the Operations Desk Sergeant or Watch Commander designee issues the
cite will be entered on the “Date” line. The rest of the citation will be completed
in accordance with OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.08.
C. Additional information
Should the Field Officer, the Operations Desk Sergeant, or Watch Commander’s
Designee be aware of previous citations issued, appropriate comments shall be made in
either or both of the Supplemental Investigation Report and the Violation(s) Code
Section of the Notice to Appear.
Should the violator request a court trial to dispute the citation, both the ACO who
initiated the citation and the Operations Desk Sergeant or Watch Commander/designee
who issued the citation should attend the court hearing.
D. Transmittal, Voiding and Correction instructions for desk citations are consistent with
OC Animal Care Policy and Procedure 300.08