300.58 use of force (animals) report

1. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 1
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
I. PURPOSE
A. Establishes policy for the use of force on animals by Animal Control Officers
when performing official Animal Control Officer (ACO) duties, while using a
liquid chemical agent or a baton,
B. Describes the force options available and what level of force is permissible in
given situations, and
C. Establishes procedures for reporting a use of force incident.
II. POLICY
This policy recognizes that the use of force against animals by all personnel whose job
duties take them into the field requires constant evaluation. Even at its lowest level, the
use of force against animals is a serious responsibility. While there is no way to specify
the exact amount or type of reasonable force to be applied in any situation, all ACOs
authorized to use a liquid chemical agent or a baton upon an animal shall complete a Use
of Force Report (Animal) concerning the circumstances relating to their use.
The Department considers the use of force to be defensive in nature and to be used only
when necessary and justified. The Department requires that all authorized ACOs to
exercise good judgment at all times when determining if force is necessary and shall use
only that amount of force against animals that reasonably appears necessary, given the
facts and circumstances perceived by the ACO at the time of the event, to effectively
avoid bodily harm. "Reasonableness" of the force used will be judged from the
perspective of a reasonable ACO on the scene at the time of the incident. Any
interpretation of reasonableness will allow for the fact that ACOs are often forced to
make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly
evolving about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation.
III. SCOPE
Applies to all Animal Control Officers.

2. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 2
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
IV. FORMS
Use of Force Report (Animal) – Form DAS-75
Supplemental Investigation Report (Electronic)
V. REFERENCES
OC Animal Care Departmental Safety Policy
VI. DEFINITIONS
A. Force
Force is any intervention intended to induce control or compliance. Force may
include, but is not limited to:
1. Using chemical agents and other personal protective equipment such as
batons.
B. Level/Amount of Force
Level/amount of force refers to the degree of force deemed objectively
reasonable, in light of the facts and circumstances confronting the Animal Control
Officer, and necessary for the Animal Control Officer to control an animal or
situation, or otherwise accomplish an Animal Control Officer duty.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Use of Force
Use of force against animals shall be restricted to circumstances requiring self-
defense or defense of others and only to the degree minimally necessary to avoid
bodily harm.

3. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 3
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1. Liquid Chemical Agent
a. Oleoresin Capsicum
Non-flammable Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray is the only
approved chemical agent that Animal Control Officers may carry
and use.
b. Conditions of Use
1. Only Animal Control Officers who have successfully
completed OC Animal Care-approved training for using
OC spray may use the agent.
2. Animal Control Officers may only use OC Animal Care-
owned and issued OC spray. Animal Control Officers must
not buy or use alcohol-based or flammable OC spray.
c. Use
OC spray is an alternative that Animal Control Officers may use to
defend against or control actively resistant animals.
2. Batons
a. Authorization
Only Animal Control Officers who have successfully completed an
OC Animal Care-approved training may carry impact weapons.
Officers may only carry the same type of impact weapon they used
in training. In accordance with Penal Code Section 22295(g), prior
to receiving authorization to carry a baton, officers must
successfully complete a course of instruction relating to the use of
batons as protection and remain current with respect to any

4. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 4
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
additional training requirements related thereto. Such instruction
shall be in the format prescribed by the Commission on Peace
Officer Standards and Training. Upon successful completion of
the course, and any required additional training, a current
certificate shall be maintained on file at OC Animal Care.
b. Conditions of Use
An Animal Control Officer may use authorized personal protective
equipment to protect themselves or others from physical harm or to
bring an animal safely and effectively under control.
3. Reportable Incidents
In any case when a liquid chemical agent or a baton is used upon an
animal, the Animal Control Officer shall complete a Use of Force Report
(DAS-75) concerning the circumstances relating to their use, which they
shall forward to all Field Supervisors and Administrative Managers.
a. Purpose
The purpose of the Use of Force Report (DAS-75) is to consolidate
specific details necessary for OC Animal Care Management to
complete a comprehensive investigation and review of the
incident. All Use of Force Report Forms are to be accompanied by
a Supplemental Report detailing the incident in accordance with
OCAC P&P 300.12 and is to be initiated by the ACO reporting the
use of force.
b. Submission
The Watch Commander responsible for submitting a reportable
incident must submit the signed Use of Force Report (DAS-75) to
the Chief of Field Services, Administrative Manager and the

5. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 5
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
Director via email within 5 working days from the date of the
incident.
4. Steps to Complete Use of Force Report (Animal)
1. DATE OF INCIDENT: Enter the date of the incident (e.g.,
12/21/12).
2. TIME: Enter the time of the incident using conventional time (e.g.,
9:35 AM).
3. ACTIVITY #: Enter Complete Chameleon Activity Number as it
relates to the call (e.g. A12-123456)
4. LOCATION: Enter the location of the incident (e.g., Front yard of
Street, City, State, Zip).
5. TYPE OF CALL: Note the specific type of call (e.g., Stray at large
aggressive dog).
6. SPECIES: Enter the animal species (e.g., dog, cat).
7. BREED: Enter the breed of the animal (e.g., Siberian Husky,
Chow mix, German Shepherd, Bulldog, etc.).
8. SEX: Enter the sex of the animal (e.g., male, female).
9. COLOR: Enter the color of the animal (e.g., black, gold, white,
brindle).
10. AGE: Enter the age of the animal (e.g., 2 years, 6 months, etc.).
11. WEIGHT: Enter the weight of the animal (e.g., 35 lbs).
12. NAME: Enter the name of the animal if known (e.g., Max”).
13. NAME: Enter the name of owner/custodian (e.g., John Smith).
14. ADDRESS: Enter address of owner/custodian (e.g., Street, City,
State, Zip).
15. TELEPHONE(S): Enter telephone number(s) of owner/custodian
(e.g., (714) 555-5555).
16. REASON FOR USE OF FORCE AGAINST ANIMAL: Mark
reason for use of force against animal (e.g., to protect ACO, to
protect another person, to protect another animal, other). If the
reason is OTHER, provide the reason.

6. Number: 300.58
SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE (ANIMALS) REPORT Page: 6
Date: 5/14/14
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
17. ANIMAL INJURED: Check line of animal injury status (e.g., yes,
no, unknown).
18. DESCRIBE INJURY TO ANIMAL: Enter description of injury to
animal (e.g., abrasion, fracture, etc.).
19. WAS ANIMAL TREATED FOR INJURY?: Check line of animal
injury treatment status (e.g., yes, no).
20. TIME ANIMAL ARRIVED AT VET: Enter the time animal
arrived at vet using conventional time (e.g., 9:35 AM).
21. TREATING VET: Enter the name of treating vet (e.g., Dr. John
Smith).
22. VET ADDRESS: Enter the vet address (e.g., Vet Clinic Name,
Street, City, State, Zip).
23. VET PHONE: Enter vet telephone number (e.g., (714) 555-5555).
24. EATR#: Enter EATR# (e.g., A12345).
25. LEVEL OF CONTROL/DEFENSE USED AGAINT ANIMAL:
Mark level of control/defense used against animal (e.g., verbal
command(s) used (explain), bite control device (collapsible baton,
ketch-all, posse box, etc.), deterrent/protective strike and number
used).
26. OTHER CONTOL MEASURES UTILIZED: Enter other control
measures utilized (e.g., Used deadly force).
27. ANIMAL CONFINED/CAPTURED: Check line of animal
confined/captured status (e.g., yes, no).
28. LOCATION: (e.g., 561 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868).
29. POINT OF CONTACT ON ANIMAL: Mark on diagram the
point(s) of contact on animal where force was used (e.g., head,
back, rear left leg).
30. REPORTING ACO SIGNATURE: Signature of ACO initiating
the report.
31. DATE: Enter the date of form completion (e.g., 12/21/12).