300.23 duties of the animal control officer

1. Number: 300.23
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Page: 1
Date: 5/2/07
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1/10/12
I. PURPOSE
To describe the duties and responsibilities of an Animal Control Officer (ACO).
II. POLICY
Animal Control Officers perform duties that are overseen by Senior Animal Control Officers,
Supervising Animal Control Officers, the Chief of Field Services and the Manager of Field
Operations.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all Animal Control Officers.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable.
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Under the general direction of a Supervising Animal Control Officer, individuals
assigned the duties and responsibilities of an Animal Control Officer will perform, but
are not limited to the following functions:
1. Arrive on time and be seated in full uniform in the squad room for briefing at the
beginning of the assigned shift.
2. Review and prioritize all starting calls prior to going into the field.
3. Complete all pending paperwork prior to going into the field.

2. Number: 300.23
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Page: 2
Date: 5/2/07
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1/10/12
4. Sign out for all assigned equipment that is required by supervision at the
beginning of the shift. Pac Sets and unit keys are to placed back in their
appropriate storage locations at the end of shift unless given approval by
supervision.
5. Maintain work areas, push in chair and remove all trash.
6. Meet with the Watch Commander on any calls that may require special attention.
7. Know and adhere to all County Policies and Procedures and related laws
pertaining to the position.
8. Adhere to the County’s established Code of Conduct.
9. Treat all OC Animal Care staff with courtesy and respect pursuant to OC Animal
Care’s Policy and Procedure 200.19 Guidelines for Professional Conduct.
10. Make every effort to provide superior customer service, encourage teamwork,
provide excellent animal care, maintain a high level of ethics and maintain an
accident free work environment.
11. Be prepared to handle a variety of calls as they arise by ensuring all County
issued equipment is carried in the field on a daily basis. All equipment is to be
kept clean to prevent the spread of disease and maintained in good working
order. Any lost, stolen or damaged equipment is to be reported to supervision
immediately.
B. On a daily basis, Animal Control Officers will perform the following:
1. Sign out an animal carrying unit and radio for use during the shift. Check the
unit for supplies, oil, working condition of all equipment and any vehicle
discrepancies. It is the responsibility of the Officer driving the vehicle to ensure
it is clean, washed when necessary, and fueled for the next shift.
2. Organize all paperwork and assignments in such a way as to promote maximum
efficiency throughout the shift (vehicles are to be fueled at the end of shift if
there is less than ¾ tank of gas left for the next shift unless given approval by the
Watch Commander).
3. Go in service within one hour, ready to copy any additional calls Dispatch may
have pending.
4. Handle all starting calls and dispatched calls in the assigned area according to
the established priority list or supervisory direction.
5. When contacted over the radio, give location by major cross streets and stop the
unit in a safe area to copy any calls.

3. Number: 300.23
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Page: 3
Date: 5/2/07
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1/10/12
6. All Chameleon work relating to calls handled throughout the day (e.g. Activity
memos, Animal ID #’s, updating times, etc.) is to be completed in the field. The
time spent on this paperwork is to be recorded as part of the working times on
the Activity window to ensure proper billing. Time at the end of the shift is
designated for writing supplemental reports, completing citation paperwork,
printing logs and receipts, etc.
7. Cell phones may be used only when the vehicle is stopped in a safe location and
put in park. Cell phones are not to be used when operating a County vehicle
unless making calls to emergency service providers. Personal calls may be
accepted and made during breaks and lunch periods only. The Dispatch number
may be provided to immediate family members for contact in case of emergency
only.
8. Assist other ACO’s on high priority calls only when cleared by the Field
Sergeant or Watch Commander. ACOs experiencing down time are expected to
take calls from other ACOs in neighboring areas in order of priority and advise
the Field Sergeant and Dispatch if they leave their areas.
9. Assist outside agencies, such as fire, police or city officials in a professional
manner.
10. Report all County vehicles involved in accidents immediately to Dispatch and
Supervision.
11. Report all work related injuries immediately to Dispatch and Supervision to
ensure quick medical attention and proper filing of Worker’s Compensation
paperwork.
12. Advise the Dispatcher of your arrival on all Activities (10-97). Upon completion
of each call, advise the DSO on each Activity before going to the next call (10-
98). In addition, for safety purposes, the ACO will indicate their arrival to each
call by double clicking the call in their box in the Dispatch View window which
will add an asterisk to the call and double clicking a second time showing they
have left the scene.
13. Clear all calls in Chameleon as they are completed. Completed calls are not to
be stored in the ACO’s Dispatch window. Re-file all calls that require follow-up
through the Dispatcher prior to leaving the field. Calls are to be re-filed via the
800 MHz radio system unless authorized by the Watch Commander or requested
by the DSO.
14. It is the duty of the ACO at the end of each shift to verify that his/her calls are
closed out correctly with the appropriate codes, times, attached photos, memos,
etc.

4. Number: 300.23
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Page: 4
Date: 5/2/07
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1/10/12
15. All memo entries are to be clear and concise, begin with the current date, end
with the Officer’s initials and badge number, contain proper grammar and
punctuation, and remain professional and appropriate at all times.
16. Near the end of the AM shifts, the AM ACOs will meet with the appropriate PM
ACOs to hand off any paperwork necessary on calls re-filed for PM contact.
17. Upon return to OC Animal Care at the end of shift, unload all animals and
personal equipment, and clean out the unit of all trash and other debris. Park
and lock the unit and all cages holding equipment.
18. Unit keys shall be returned to the lock box in the Squad Room and hand-held
radios shall be returned to the appropriate charger in the cabinet. All other
checked out equipments, such as laptops and cameras, will be returned to the
Watch Commander or Lieutenant at the end of shift.
19. Input all live and dead animals into the Chameleon database. It is the
responsibility of the impounding ACO to ensure that photos are taken of their
live dogs and uploaded into Cham Cam, regardless of who is assigned the task in
briefing.
20. Complete all other necessary paperwork, such as monies and licensing, prior to
going off duty. All monies collected for the day are to be turned in to the Watch
Commander at the end of shift.
21. Detailed memos and Supplemental reports are required on the more complex
investigations (e.g. 905V, founded cruelty cases, severe bites, etc.) regardless of
the officer’s role on the call. Supplemental reports are to be turned in to
Operations (OPS) and the Watch Commander for approval prior to the end of
the Officer’s workweek. If an arrest is made, the report is to be completed and
submitted prior to the end of the ACO’s shift unless given prior authorization by
Supervision.
22 Impounds requiring an OPS hold (e.g. 905-V impounds, founded cruelty/neglect
cases, severe bites, etc.) require the Officer to provide a copy of the Activity
window, memos, Kennel window and all related paperwork to OPS by the end
of the Impounding Officer’s work day. The ACO forwarding the information to
OPS is also responsible for ensuring the appropriate holds are placed on the
animals in the Chameleon database, especially in the Kennel window and
Animal ID.
23 Logs - Any logs that were not completed the previous day, shall be completed
prior to going in service the following workday unless given permission by the
Watch Commander. If completing logs will keep the ACO from going in the

5. Number: 300.23
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Page: 5
Date: 5/2/07
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised:
1/10/12
field within the 1 hour timeframe required, the Watch Commander must be
advised.
24. Perform other duties or tasks as required or as directed by the Senior Animal
Control Officer, Supervising Animal Control Officer, Chief of Field Services or
the Manager of Field Operations.