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Subject: Animal
Complaints and Reporting Animal Biting |
Series Number
Change 401 07 Effective
Date May 23, 1986 Revision
Date * |
The purpose of this
order is to establish procedures for handling animal complaints and reporting
animal bitings. This order consists of the following parts:
PART I Responsibilities and Procedures for Members
of the Department
A. General.
B. injured Animals.
C. Department of Human Services, Animal Control
Agency (ACA).
D. Cruelty to Animal Complaints.
E. Removal of Dead Animals from Public Space.
F. Inoculation of Dogs.
6. Reporting Animal Biting Occurring within the
District of Columbia.
H. Reporting Animal Bitings Occurring In Another
Jurisdiction.
I. Service of PD Form 48 (Notice to Owner of
Biting Animal).
J. Impoundment of Biting Animals.
K. Impoundment of Dangerous or Abandoned
Animals.
L. Handling Suspected Rabid Animals.
PART II Responsibilities and Procedures for Special
Assignment Personnel (Station Clerks.)
PART III
Responsibilities and Procedures for Supervisory and Command
Personnel
A. District Section Sergeants.
B. Director, identification and Records
Division.
C. Watch Commanders.
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PART I
A. General
1. Members
of the department who become Involved in taking a report relative to an animal
complaint or animal biting shall utilize all available means to establish
ownership of the animal.
a. Dog ownership can be established via the dog license number by contacting the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs during normal working hours (Monday through Friday 0815 to 1645 hours) on 72-77085. After 1645 hours and on Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays, members shall contact the Animal Control Agency on 57-66664
b. Dog
ownership can also be established via the rabies vaccination number by
contacting the Animal Control Agency.
2. Whenever
a member receives a complaint of a dog running-at-large and the owner can be
determined, the owner shall be notified of the violation and advised that a
violation citation (PD Form 61D) will be Issued for any subsequent violation.
3. Members
observing stray dogs running-at-large shall notify the Animal Control Agency
(ACA) as soon as possible in order that they may be removed from public space.
Members shall make every reasonable effort to assist the ACA employees in
locating and Impounding dogs running-at—large.
4. To
prevent the transmission of diseases (distemper, worms, lice, etc.), members
shall not transport stray dogs or other animals in police department vehicles,
nor shall stray dogs or other animals be held in any stationhouse or K-9 Kennel
while awaiting removal by an employee of the Animal Disease Control unit.
B. Injured Animals.
1. When
an animal Is found seriously injured on public space and the owner/custodian cannot
be located, members observing the condition or having It brought to their
attention shall:
a. Contact
the dispatcher and request that an official respond;
b. Contact
the ACA, via telephone or through the police department dispatcher, to
ascertain If they can respond immediately to remove the Injured animal; or
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c. If
the ACA cannot respond immediately or within a reasonable amount &f
time, and an official was unable to respond, then and only then, put the
animal out of its misery, exercising utmost caution to prevent injury to
bystanders.
2. If
the animal is not seriously injured and the owner/custodian cannot be
located, members shall contact the ACA and request that they respond to remove
the Injured animal. The ACA will give all MPD calls for service a priority
rating.
If
the PICA Dispatcher indicates that they can respond immediately, members shall
remain with the animal.
If
the PICA cannot respond immediately, members shall attempt to secure the
animal to a fixed object (do not secure the animal to a Fire-Alarm Box or Fire
Hydrant), notify the Communications Division of the action taken and the exact
location of the animal, and return to service.
3. In
all cases where the owner/custodian can be located, the owner shall be notified
and requested to respond to remove the animal. If the owner! custodian refuses
or is unable to respond the PICA shall be notified and requested to respond to
remove the animal.
C. Department of Human Services, Animal
Control Agency (ACA)
The Department of
Human Services, Animal Control Agency (1201 New York Ave., N.E.) is responsible
for handling all calls (except Cruelty to Animals) regarding animals in
distress, running-at-large, sick or injured and/or those Involved in a biting
incident, etc. To provide these services, the ACA is staffed twenty-four (24)
hours a day, every day of the week.
1. Hours
for non-vital business, such as routine visits, are:
a. Monday through Friday - 0730 to 2000 hours.
b. Saturdays and Sundays - 1100 to 1500 hours.
2. Hours
for examination of biting animals are:
a. Monday through Frida2 - 0730 to
2000 hours.
b. Saturdays, Sundays and Legal Holidays - 1100
to 1500 hours.
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D. Cruelty to Animal Complaints.
1. The
Washington Humane Society has been delegated the authority and responsibility for enforcing
cruelty to animal complaints as Set
forth in D.C. Code Title 32-901 thru 911 and Title 22-801 thru 814.
2. Complaints
called in by members of the Society requesting assistance from our department
are to receive the same response as any other citizen request for police
service.
3. Members
who are called to the scene of a "Cruelty to Animals” case by a member of
the Washington Humane Society, who has viewed a violation of the law or
regulation of the District of Columbia for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, shall, from the member of the society, as set forth in D.C. Code,
Title 32, Section 905 (1981 Edition)
4. If
a member of the Humane Society Is in possession of a warrant, and that member
requests the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Department for service of
the warrant, members shall provide the necessary assistance.
5. Should
a member of this department make an arrest for such an offense, that member is
responsible for the processing of the arrestee, including booking, papering and
release via citation (unless the arrest was based on a warrant, then Citation
Release is not authorized).
E.
1. When
a dead animal is found on public space, members shall notify the Northwest
Garage, Bureau of Solid Waste Collection,
Public
Space Maintenance Administration on 72-74828 and make an entry on their
district’s Incidental Book.
2. In
addition, if the dead animal is wearing a License or Vaccination Tag, the
officer shall telephone the registration number(s) to the ACA, who will in
turn, make every reasonable effort to contact the owner/custodian of the
deceased animal.
F. Innoculation of Dogs.
Rabies and distemper
vaccinations are required for all dogs over four (4) months old in the District
of Columbia. Members who receive inquiries shall instruct all persons to
contact the ACA for information relative to free vaccinations.
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G.
1. When
the identity of the animal’s owner is known, the reporting officer shall
be responsible for the following:
a. Preparing
a PD Form 251 (Incident Report);
b. Serving
the owner/custodian of the biting animal with a PD Form 48 (Notice to owner 0f
Biting Animal);
c. that
a PD Form 48 has been served to the owner/custodian of a biting animal;
d. Serving
the owner with a PD Form 61D (Violation Citation) when applicable;
e. Serving
the owner/custodian with a being notified that the owner/custodian of a biting
animal
f. Applying for and obtaining a warrant if the owner/custodian fails to have the animal examined after being served with a second PD Form 48, or when the owner/custodian ignores the PD Form 61D;
g. Notifying
the victim of the disposition of the PD Form 48;
h. Notifying
the victim if a stray (biting) animal has been sent to the ACA, or if the
biting animal could not be located; and/or
i . Conducting
a follow-up investigation within seven (7) days of the original report and
completing a PD Form 252 (Supplemental Report). The investigative report shall
contain all new pertinent facts such as:
(1) Time
and date the biting animal was examined by the ACA;
(2) Failure
of owner/custodian to have the biting animal examined;
(3) Service
of second PD Form 48, etc.
2. When
the identity of the animal’s owner/custodian is not known and the location of
the biting occurred within the reporting officer's assigned district, the
reporting officer shall be responsible for the following:
a. Notifying the ACA by telephone, prior to being relieved from duty, that an animal bite has occurred. Record the date, time and name of the employee notified at the ACA in the narrative of the incident report. Do not notify ACA of animal bites involving MPDC canine.
b. Preparing
a PD Form 251 (Incident Report);
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c. Making
every possible effort to locate the animal responsible for the biting and the
owner/custodian thereof; and
d. Conducting
a follow-up investigation within seven (7) days of the original report and
completing a PD Form 252 (Supplement Report), If the follow-up investigation
results in the identity of the owner/custodian, the reporting officer shall be
responsible for Part IG1b through i above.
3. When
the identity of the animal’s owner/custodian is not known and location of the
biting occurred in another district, the reporting officer shall be responsible
for the following:
a. Preparing
a PD Form 251 (Incident Report); and
b. Notifying
the station clerk at the district in which the biting occurred.
c. Notifying
the ACA by telephone prior to being relieved from duty, that an animal bite has
occurred. Record the date, time and name of the employee notified at the ACA in
the narrative of the incident report.
4. If
the owner/custodian of the biting animal lives in another district or outside
the reporting officer’s assigned patrol area, the reporting officer shall
contact his/her section sergeant prior to responding to the animal
owner’s/custodian’s residence to complete a PD Form 251 and serve the owner!
custodian with a PD Form 48, and when applicable, a PD Form 61D.
5. If
the owner/custodian of the biting animal lives in another district and the
initial attempt to serve the owner/custodian with a PD Form 48 is unsuccessful,
the reporting officer shall indicate same in the narrative portion of the PD
Form 251 and notify the station clerk at the district in which the biting
occurred.
6. Members
receiving an assignment to conduct a follow-up investigation of an animal
biting report that was taken in another district or taken by the Telephone
Report Writing Unit (TRU) shall:
a. When applicable, make every possible effort to locate the animal responsible for the biting and the animal’s owner/ custodian thereof;
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b. If
the identity of the animal’s owner/custodian is ascertained, serve the
owner/custodian with a PD Form 48, follow through with the responsibilities
outlined in Part IG1c through g and notify the station clerk of the action
taken;
c. Notify
the victim if the stray (biting) animal has been sent to the ACA for examination,
or if the biting animal could not be located;
d. Submit
a follow—up investigation report (PD Form 252) within seven (7) days of
receiving the assignment. The investigative report shall contain all new
pertinent facts such as:
(1) Time
and date biting animal was examined by ACA;
(2) Failure of owner/custodian to have biting animal examined;
(3) Service
of first or second PD Form 48;
(4) Warrant
applied for; and/or
(5) Arrest(s)
made.
H. Reporting Animal Bitings Occurring in
Another Jurisdiction.
1. Members
receiving an assignment to take a report of an animal biting which occurred in
a jurisdiction outside the District of Columbia, shall prepare a PD Form 251
(Incident Report) and telephone all pertinent information to the police
department having jurisdiction where the biting occurred, if the call can be
made without expense to the District of Columbia.
2. If
the above telephone notification would result in a toll charge, a copy of the
PD Form 251 shall be mailed to the appropriate police department by the station
clerk in the reporting officer’s unit.
3. In
all cases of dog bitings occurring outside the District of Columbia, members
shall make a notation, relative to the type of notification made, on the PD
Form 251 to include:
a. The
date and time of notification;
b. The
name of the person notified; and
c. The
name of the Police Department notified.
I. Service of PD Form 48 (Notice to Owner of
Biting Animal).
1. Members
handing animal biting reports shall prepare an original and two copies of PD
Form 48. The original shall be served upon the owner/ custodian of the biting
animal and the remaining copies shall be turned in with the PD Form 251 or PD
Form 252.
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2. Upon
serving the owner / custodian of a biting animal with the PD Form 48, members
shall:
a. Instruct the owner/custodian to present the animal for examination to the ACA or a private veterinarian within 24 hours.
b. Notify
the ACA on 57-66664 prior to being relieved from duty.
c. Instruct
the owner/custodian that he/she must keep the biting animal under his/her
control for a period of ten (10) days from the date of the alleged biting.
d. If
the owner/custodian elects to take the animal to his/her own private
veterinarian, instruct him/her to have the veterinarian report his/her
findings to the ACA on the same day that the animal is examined.
e. Immediately
notify the ACA If the biting animal Is other than a dog or cat, or If the
biting animal appears to be sick.
f. If
unable to locate the owner/custodian, notify the ACA within 48 hours of
the biting.
3. When
a member has been notified by the ACA that the owner/custodian of a biting
animal ha;s failed to present the animal for examination, the member shall:
a. Serve the owner/custodian with a second PD Form 48 and inform the owner/custodian that if he/she falls to adhere to the second notice an application will be sought for an arrest warrant.
b. Prepare
a PD Form 252 and indicate on same, the time and date that the owner/custodian
was served with the second notice.
c. If
the owner/custodian of a biting animal cannot be served with a PD Form 48
within seven (7) days of the assignment, prepare a PD Form 252 indicating the
efforts that were made to locate and notify the owner/custodian.
d. If
the biting animal is suspected of being ill, or if the animal is other than a
dog or cat, immediately notify the ACA and try to serve the owner/custodian
within one tour of duty.
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If the
owner/custodian cannot be located, notify the ACA and prepare a PD Form 252.
4. Upon
being notified by the ACA that the owner/custodian has failed to produce the
animal for examination after a second notice, the original reporting officer
shall:
a. Respond
to the Corporation Counsel’s Office, Superior Court to apply for a warrant;
b. Request
that the Assistant Corporation Counsel expedite the issuance of the warrant as
the health of the person bitten may be in jeopardy;
c. Upon
receiving the warrant immediately execute sane (The Chief of the Animal Disease
Control, or his/her designee, will be available as a witness in court); and
d. Immediately
contact the ACA to have the animal impounded.
J. Impoundment of Biting Animals.
1. When
an animal has bitten a person or Is suspected of having bitten a person and
the owner/custodian cannot be located, members shall make every effort to
confine the animal and shall notify the ACA for immediate impoundment and
examination.
2. If
the biting animal or suspected biting animal is dead, the ACA shall be notified
immediately and requested to respond and remove the animal for examination
3. Reports
concerning the above Instances shall Indicate that the animal has been removed
to the ACA for examination.
K. Impoundment of Dangerous or Abandoned
Animals.
1. When
a member confronts a dangerous animal and the owner/custodian Is on the scene
and refuses to confine the animal In a location that mould eliminate the
immediate danger, the member shall call the ACA and request that they respond
and Impound the animal.
2. Members
may request assistance from the ACA when they know in advance that they will be
confronting a dangerous animal(s) while in the performance of their duties.
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3. Members
finding animals in residences of deceased persons shall try to locate a
relative or friend that will care for the animal. If unable to locate anyone to
care for the animal, contact the ACA and request that they respond and impound
the abandoned animal.
4. Anytime
an animal is impounded by the ACA at the request of a member of this
department, a PD Form 251 shall be completed setting forth the circumstances
of the Incident that required the animals Impoundment.
L. Handling Suspected Rabid Animals.
Any member who
observes a suspected rabid animal within the confines of the District of
Columbia shall take the following action:
1. Immediately
contact the Animal Control Agency and keep the animal in sight until a member
of that unit arrives.
2. Take
every precaution to Stay away from the animal. Since rabies affects the brain,
the affected animal will be unpredictable and may become dangerous if aroused
or harassed.
3. Keep
all bystanders away and attempt to keep other animals from Interfering with ft.
4.
In those cases where an animal is suspected of being rabid and has
bitten, or Is threatening you or others, attempt to Isolate the animal by
placing a heavy duty plastic milk crate (available in each district), a trash
can or other restraining device over it.
5. If
a restraining device Is not readily available, the procedures outlined In Part
lB of this order and General Order No. 901.1 (Use of Firearms and Other Service
Weapons) shall be followed:
a. For the purpose of this order, the suspected rabid animal shall be classified as a Badly Injured Animal*
b. If
it is necessary to destroy a suspected rabid animal that has bitten someone, do
not, If at all possible, shoot the animal in the head because the head must be
preserved for examination in order to confirm the presence of rabies.
6. Do
not, under any circumstances, handle any dead animal suspected of having
rabies. Call the Animal Control Agency and be guided by their Instructions.
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7. If
a member should come In direct contact with a suspected rabid animal he/she
shall:
a. Immediately
wash the affected area with soap and water;
b. Immediately
respond to a hospital facility;
c. Complete
a PD Form 318 (Communicable Disease Contact Report)to include, In the remarks
section, the type of animal involved; and
d. Notify
the Clinic Liaison Officer as soon as possible and respond to his/her assigned
Clinic doctor on the first day that the Clinic is open for business following
the Initial contact.
PART II
Station Clerks.
1. Forwarding
all reports to the Data Entry Branch, Identification and Records Division.
2. Filing
a copy of all PD Forms 251, 252 and 48 in the district’s suspense file where
they will remain until the biting animal has been examined, or until it is
determined that the case should be suspended.
3. Mailing
a copy of PD Forms 251 or 252 with attached copy of PD Form 48 to the ACA. This
shall be accomplished by placing sane in a messenger envelope addressed to the
Animal Control Agency, 1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, fl.C. 20002, and
forwarding same to the Identification and Records Division mall room via the
morning papers.
4. Mailing
a copy of PD Form 251 to other affected police departments when the
notification could not be done telephonically by the reporting officer.
5. Making
a notation on the copies of PD Form 251 or PD Form 252 prior to mailing them to
the ACA or other affected police departments, to include:
a. Date
and time mailed;
b. Name
of forwarding station clerk; and
c. Forwarding
Unit’s phone number.
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6. Preparing
two (informational copies only) duplicate copies of PD Form 251 upon being
notified that an animal biting report was taken in another district or by the
Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU) or one in which the reporting officer In the
other district was unable to locate the owner/custodian. One copy shall be
placed In the district’s suspense file and one copy shall be turned over to the
section sergeant responsible for the area of his/her district in which the
biting occurred or the area in which the owner/custodian 0f the
biting animal resides.
7. Forwarding
a copy of all follow-up investigations (PD Form 252) and PD Form 48 to the
district where the original report was taken for placement In their suspense
file.
8. Upon
being notified by the ACA that an owner/custodian of a biting animal failed to
have the animal examined:
a. Pulling the PD Form 251 and PD Form 48 from
the suspense file and making a
notation on same;
b. Notifying
the officer who served the initial PD
Form 48 to serve a second notice to the owner/custodian of the biting animal;
and
c. Instruct
the officer to apply for a warrant if the owner) custodian fails to comply with
the second notice.
9. Upon
receiving a copy of a PD Form 48 from the ACA, certifying that the biting
animal has been examined:
a. Making
a notation on the PD Form 48 in the district’s suspense file;
b. Notifying
the issuing officer that the biting animal has been examined; and
c. Instruct
the issuing officer to complete a PD Form 252, closing out the original report,
and submit sane through his / her supervisor.
10. Removing
all copies from the district’s suspense file and placing same in the district’s
general complaint file upon receiving a PD Form 252 closing out the original report
or suspending the investigation.
11. If
the original report was taken in another district, forwarding a copy of the PD
Form 252 to that district so that they can close out their suspense file.
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PART III
A. District Section Sergeants.
1. Approving or disapproving requests by
reporting officers to leave his/her scout car area or district to serve a PD
Form 48 to the owner/custodian of a biting animal.
2. Assigning another officer to serve the PD
Form 48 if the reporting officer was unable to locate the owner/custodian of a
biting animal and is going on day off, leave or on detail (more than one tour
of duty).
3. Assigning an
officer to handle the follow—up investigation and report upon being notified
by the station clerk of an animal biting report that was taken in another
district or by the Telephone Reporting Unit (TRU) or one In which the reporting
officer in the other district was unable to locate the owner/ custodian.
4. Making a determination as to when all
reasonable avenues of investigation have been pursued and exhausted to locate
the owner/custodian of a biting animal
5. Ensuring that all animal bites, except those
Involving MPDC canine be reported to the ACA telephonically, prior to the
reporting officer being relieved of duty.
B. Director, Identification and Records
Division.
The Chief of the
Animal Disease Control, after completing the examination of an animal or
learning that the examination has been completed by a private veterinarian,
will forward a verified copy of PD Form 48 to the Identification and Records
Division, with a notation on sane, giving the time and date the animal was
examined. The Director, Identification and Records Division shall:
1. Ensure that animal biting reports received
from districts (PD Forms 251, 252 and 48) are promptly mailed to the ACA.
2. Ensure that PD Forms 48, received from the
ACA, are forwarded to the originating element indicating that the case has been
closed.
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C. Watch Commanders.
Upon receiving
information that a member has used a firearm to destroy a dangerous animal, the
watch commander shall, in addition to the procedures Out-lined in General Order
No. 901.1, ensure that:
1. The investigating official completes a PD
Form 150-8 (Firearm Discharge/Assault Report) in an original and one copy.
2. The original copy of the PD Form 150-8
Is made a part of the investigative report.
3. The Copy of the PD Form 150-B is
immediately forwarded to the Director, Training Division.
MTT:RPB:TAB:jtw
GOVERNMENT OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Metropolitan POLICE DEPARTMENT VIOLATION CITATION PD
61D Rev 7/85
COMPLAINT NO.
123—456
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NAME/VENDOR NO Flandler, Dwight |
DATE OF BIRTH SEX |
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ADDRESS |
HOME PHONE |
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You are hereby
notified that the below-listed offense is a violation of the law in the
District of Columbia VIOLATION(playground)unleashed Dog DATE 02—04—93 LOCATION 4665 Blue Plains Drive S.E. TIME 7:00am |
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You are hereby
directed to report within 15 days to any of the police stations listed on the
reverse-side of this form to post the required amount of collateral for the
above-listed violation. Bring this citation with you. If you wish to
request a TRIAL you MUST appear in person within 15 days at any one of the
police stations listed on the reverse side of this form where you must first
post collateral after which a TRIAL DATE will be scheduled for you. Bring
this citation with you. Failure to post
collateral within 15 days from the date you receive this citation will result
in the case being presented to the District of Columbia Superior Court for
disposition. Collateral |
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TIME AND DATE ISSUED OFFICER’S SIGNATURE-BADGE-ELEMENT