LOS ANGELES — Additional staffing, new vehicles and equipment, and a new communications center in the Antelope Valley have been approved to enhance the Department of Animal Care and Control’s ability to protect the public from dangerous dogs, according to an announcement by L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
Nearly $775,000 in additional staffing and equipment were approved in the Final Recommended Budget, and an additional $2.4 million has been set aside for adoption in the Supplemental Budget.
On July 1, five additional animal control officers will be deployed and have access to six new vehicles, and protective equipment — collapsible batons, pepper spray, ballistic vests, and duty belts. In addition, nine new positions will staff the Critical Case Processing Unit team which investigates dangerous dog cases — and the Major Cases Unit will receive three additional officers to conduct in-depth criminal investigations into animal cruelty, neglect, illegal animal fighting, and animal hoarding situations, according to Antonovich.
The additional resources come in aftermath of brutal and deadly dog attacks in the Antelope Valley in recent months.
On May 9, 63-year-old Pamela Devitt was mauled to death by a pack of at least four vicious dogs as she took her daily morning walk in Littlerock. An autopsy concluded Devitt sustained approximately 150-200 puncture wounds.
The dogs’ owner, 29-year-old Alex Jackson, has been charged with murder in connection with the incident. (Read more here.)
On Dec. 30, 2012, 6-year-old Carlos Blakely had to be airlifted to the hospital after he was brutally attacked by a pack of dogs in the front yard of his grandparents’ Lake Los Angeles home. (Read more here.)
“With additional staffing and resources, the County’s animal control officers will have the tools necessary to patrol our neighborhoods and hold irresponsible owners accountable when they allow their dogs to roam, fight, breed and attack other pets and people,” Antonovich said.
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Notagain says
This is so FUNNY!! so now after someone had to die, now yu decided to get more help out there! WAY TO GO!!
David Ritchie says
Nice to hear that they are getting all this new gear. Now will they use it. Years ago as a paperboy was chased by every type of dogs those days it was German shepherds and Rocs. I was even chases and bitten by geese.
Lucky7 says
Good news! I’m tired of knowing people that are afraid to walk their neighborhood or go for a run for exercise because of pit bulls roaming their neighborhoods. Every one calls animal control and animal control never does anything about these dogs. I’m hopeful this will help, but I won’t hold my breath since anything government says they’re going to do, they rarely do. Just there to make a pay check and work as little as possible usually.
Lucky8 says
@Lucky7, thumbs up to your post. That said, your friends still won’t go walking or running. The possibility of being attacked was an excuse to sleep in or stay on the couch.
People who see a pit bull roaming by itself in a neighborhood, should post it on Lost Dogs in the AV facebook page. There are people who will come get it and find it’s owner. Responsible people take care of their dogs. Food, water, training and affection.
Animal control has NEVER come to pick up a dog in our neighborhood, unless we already had the dog confined in a yard. We stopped calling them and knowing they are a high kill shelter makes it easier to NOT call them.
Jodice says
I tried to find that page on FB and could not. Could you post a link to it? I live in Littlerock and have several pitbulls around our neighborhood that scare the crap out of me…