Animal Shootings - Revised PDF Los Angeles Police Department

11 April 28, 2021 April 27, 2021 DEPARTMENT MANUAL VOLUME IV Revised by Special Order No. 11, 2021 204.80 ANIMAL SHOOTINGS. Under certain circumstances officers are authorized to use a firearm to stop an animal as listed below, when a local Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) representative is not...

11 April 28, 2021 April 27, 2021 DEPARTMENT MANUAL VOLUME IV Revised by Special Order No. 11, 2021 204.80 ANIMAL SHOOTINGS. Under certain circumstances officers are authorized to use a firearm to stop an animal as listed below, when a local Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) representative is not readily available. Vicious or Rabid Animal. Officers may use a firearm to stop a vicious, potentially dangerous, or rabid animal when a delay would expose persons to danger. Note: Animals suspected of being rabid should not be shot in the head except in an emergency. Predatory Animals. Provisions for stopping predatory animals from attacking people, domestic animals or livestock, under certain circumstances, are outlined in the California Food and Agriculture Code, and the California Fish and Game Code. Venomous/Poisonous Animals. Officers may use a firearm to stop venomous or poisonous animals, which pose an immediate danger. Note: The use of a firearm should be considered only if other methods are impractical or unsafe to use (e.g., use of a shovel, hoe or other tool). Animal Shooting Reporting Requirements. When one of these incidents occurs involving on-duty or off-duty officers, Force Investigation Division (FID) shall conduct an investigation (Department Manual Section 3/794.10). Officer's Responsibility. The following reporting procedures shall be followed when an on-duty or off-duty officer is involved in an animal shooting. Employee’s shall: • • • • Secure and holster their weapon when safe (without reloading or altering the condition of the weapon, if possible); Notify, or cause to be notified, without delay, his or her Area/division watch commander or a supervisor. If a watch commander or a supervisor is unavailable, notify the Department Operations Center (DOC) and his or her Area/division of assignment as soon as practicable. If the incident occurs outside the City, the employee shall also contact the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction and inform that agency of the circumstances surrounding the incident and request a report; Preserve and contain the scene; and, Provide a public safety statement to the first responding supervisor. In the case of an animal shooting, if the animal has sustained an injury, the owner shall be allowed to transport the animal to a veterinarian of his or her choice. If the owner cannot be located, refuses or is otherwise unable to obtain veterinary treatment for the animal, officers should request the response of LAAS, via Communications Division, to respond and transport the animal for veterinary treatment. If LAAS is not available to respond or there is an extended delay for their response, officers may, if safe and practicable to do so, transport the animal to an approved emergency veterinary facility for veterinary treatment. 1 DEPARTMENT MANUAL VOLUME IV Revised by Special Order No. 11, 2021 Note: Officers who elect to transport the animal shall contact Communications Division to obtain information on the approved emergency veterinary facility. Communications Division will provide the phone number to the approved emergency veterinary facility, when available. Officers who elect to transport the animal are encouraged to call the approved emergency veterinary facility in advance of their arrival in order to provide the attending staff with as much information as possible. Note: If the incident occurs outside of the City, officer(s), upon notifying the local law enforcement agency, may request local veterinary services to treat the injured animal. Officers shall document the owner’s refusal or inability to obtain medical treatment for the animal in the appropriate Department report(s) or in the Daily Field Activities Report, Form 15.52.00. First Responding Supervisor's Responsibility. The first responding supervisor to an on-duty animal shooting incident shall: • • • • • • • Respond to the scene; Ensure the employee's weapon is safely secured and holstered; Obtain a public safety statement from the involved employee(s); Ensure the scene is preserved and the area is canvassed for witnesses; Ensure all possible evidence is located and secured; Notify the DOC and follow existing Categorical Use of Force protocols; and, Ensure veterinary treatment for the animal is obtained, when applicable, as delineated above. Supervisors shall ensure that any transportation of animals by the officers to an approved emergency veterinary facility is done so in compliance with Department Manual Section 3/795, pertaining to the separation and monitoring of employees following a Categorical Use of Force. Any deviation from this policy shall be documented in the Sergeant’s Daily Report, Form 15.48.00, and the Watch Commander’s Daily Report, Form 15.80.00. Note: All information pertaining to the animal’s veterinary treatment, including the location of the LAAS center where the animal was transported to, shall be provided to Force Investigation Division (FID). Watch Commander or Officer in Charge Responsibility. When a watch commander or officer in charge (OIC) becomes aware that an animal shooting has occurred, the watch commander/OIC, shall: • • • • Notify FID and determine the appropriate type of animal shooting investigation to be conducted; Make the appropriate chain of command notifications, including DOC; Respond to the scene if inside the City; and, Follow existing Categorical Use of Force protocols. 2 DEPARTMENT MANUAL VOLUME IV Revised by Special Order No. 11, 2021 Note: For any officer involved animal shooting where Department personnel obtained veterinary treatment for the animal, the Department shall reimburse LAAS or the approved emergency veterinary facility via Fiscal Group (FG) for medical costs not to exceed $500.00. The entity who provides the emergency veterinary services will submit an itemized invoice of medical services rendered to FG. 3