San Bernardino County Child and Family Services

Recommendations 2

• R1

  Page 33
  the owner, in fear of losing his/her dog to Animal Services, refuses to cooperate with the Animal Control Officer (ACO) who is attempting to assist
• R2

  Page 33
  the person bitten is not likely to chase after the dog 18 Sa n Bernardino County Grand Jury Final Report “Studies conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association have concluded that the most common causes of fatal dog attacks are preventable factors related to irresponsible ownership, abuse and/or neglect and failure to properly supervise large or strong dogs. Most fatalities are usually the result of human controlled factors specific to the circumstances surrounding the incident.” (www.avma.org) Bites from dogs are an important public health issue. According to “DogsBite.org”, a research and education nonprofit organization, in the period between 2010 to 2019, there were 369 dog bite fatalities in the US. Five of these fatalities occurred in San Bernardino County. Three of those five were children under the age of three. Whether in the City of San Bernardino, the County of San Bernardino or nationally, dog bites can lead to death, disfigurement, disability, and infectious diseases such as rabies. In most cases, it is a traumatic experience that can be reduced by a variety of means. The 2023 Grand Jury investigated the City of San Bernardino Department of Animal Services. For the purpose of this report, the name San Bernardino City Animal Services will be used (SBCAS, Animal Services). The Grand Jury toured and observed the kennels; however, the focus of this investigation centered on Animal Control Officers and Field Services. Evidence revealed that the public has a misconception of the ACO’s role dealing with safe, healthy, pet ownership. Animal Control Officers are not the “Dog Catcher”. ACOs do not stalk the streets with large nets attached to long poles. The goal of the officer is to intervene and provide public education and safety. They are dedicated and educated animal lovers who have the skills, knowledge and compassion to assist the dog owner in keeping their animals safe, healthy and home for the life of the animal. In the investigation into SBCAS, the Grand Jury also read documents and interviewed witnesses from Rancho Cucamonga Animal Field Services (RCAFS, RCAS) in order to compare Animal Services of a city of similar population. San Bernardino County Grand Jury Final Report 19