A vicious animal is an animal that, although unprovoked, has aggressively attacked another animal or person, and inflicted serious injury. A dangerous animal is an animal that poses the potential danger of attack on another animal or person. A vicious animal report requires immediate action and a dangerous animal report requires a permanent solution to alleviate the danger. A vicious animal report may result in dangerous animal procedures.

Who is Responsible for Investigation: Local Animal Control Agency

Information Necessary to Process the Request:

• Resident's name, address and telephone number.

• Address or location where problem or attack took place.

• Nature of problem or attack.

• Name, address, and telephone number of the person bitten or attacked.

• Name, address and telephone number of the animal owner, if known.

Description of Process:

The shelter staff receives and logs the call and determines the severity of attack to person or animal.

The shelter staff will dispatch paramedics if needed.

The shelter staff will determine if a hazard exists.

The shelter staff radios the call to the radio control center.

The radio control center dispatches the information to a field unit.

The Animal Control Officer at the site will take the appropriate actions as required by law and Departmental policy.

Time Involved:

This generally is the Department's highest priority of call and receives immediate action.

Additional Information: The person reporting the animal bite will be requested to also report the attack to the Veterinary Public Health at 323-730-3723.