A resident in the unincorporated Twentynine Palms area told Z107.7 News that he had complained to County Animal Control numerous times for nearly two years about a neighbor’s three loose pit bull dogs, which he found threatening to his young children. The resident did not feel that animal control addressed his concerns about the loose dogs. Managing editor Tami Roleff files this report about how the county handles animal complaints…
According to the County Animal Control office, after receiving a complaint, an animal control officer will be dispatched to the location to try and find the dog. Animal control officers can only issue citations to owners whose dogs are running loose if they themselves see the dogs running at large. A citation can’t be issued for loose dogs unless a witness of the loose dogs has been identified, agrees to sign the citation, and is willing to appear in court or before a hearing officer to swear to the offense. The county has a mandatory sterilization ordinance in place for pit bull-type dogs. Animal control officers can issue citations—with a fine of $100 per offense—for pit bulls in unincorporated county areas that are not spayed or neutered.
COUNTY CLARIFIES HOW IT RESPONDS TO LOOSE DOG COMPLAINTS
