Kansas City Police Department Procedural Instruction: Animal Bite Incidents PDF

KANSAS CITY, MO. POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NO. PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION 11/09/2022 11/09/2022 22-09 SUBJECT...

KANSAS CITY, MO. POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NO. PROCEDURAL INSTRUCTION 11/09/2022 11/09/2022 22-09 SUBJECT AMENDS Animal Bite Incidents REFERENCE RESCINDS PI: Firearms Procedures PI: 17-11 I. INTRODUCTION To provide guidelines and procedures for handling animal bite calls-for-service and emergency euthanasia of injured or distressed animals. II. TERMINOLOGY A. Animal Bite - Any puncture wound caused by the teeth of an animal exposing an individual to rabies or diseases contracted from animals. B. Emergency Euthanasia - For the purpose of this directive, the act of putting to death, with the least amount of pain and distress, an animal suffering from a dangerous virus, disease, condition, or severe injury. III. GUIDELINES A. All citizens will be referred to the 3-1-1 Action Center when they wish to report any animal concern, e.g., lost or stray dogs. B. A sworn member will be dispatched on an animal bite incident when it is possibly related to an assault, the injury is serious in nature, or a person is in danger of an attack. *C. Communications Unit personnel will advise the supervisor of Animal Health and Public Safety (816-513-9806)(per Kansas City Ordinance Sec.14-2) if it is believed an animal has bitten someone. This will allow the appropriate steps to be taken if the animal needs to be tested for rabies or a dangerous disease. Animal Health and Public Safety employees are available 24 hours a day, however the Watch I employee only responds to emergencies. D. When a report is required, the animal bite that has occurred in conjunction with an offense, will be included in the incident report. A casualty report will not be taken. IV. PROCEDURES When a sworn member is dispatched on an animal bite call-for-service, the member will: A. Arrange necessary medical assistance for the victim. *B. Attempt to contain the animal or maintain visual contact with the animal until the Animal Health and Public Safety employee arrives, or a reasonable amount of time has passed. C. Refer to the emergency euthanasia and disposal guidelines that are set forth in the written directive entitled, “Firearms Procedures,” when destroying a distressed and/or injured animal that presents a danger to the public when the following circumstances are present: 1. The owner of the animal is not present, is unknown, cannot or will not take control of the animal; or *2. An Animal Health and Public Safety employee is unable to respond within a reasonable amount of time. D. Complete the report(s), if applicable, e.g., Animal Euthanasia Report (Intranet). E. Leave the animal with the owner when possible. If the owner will not take possession, notify the supervisor of Animal Health and Public Safety for the earliest removal. Joseph E. Mabin Jr. Chief of Police Adopted by the Board of Police Commissioners this 25 day of October, 2022. Mark C. Tolbert Board President DISTRIBUTION: All Department Members Public View Master Index - Internet Department Master Index - Intranet Policy Acknowledgement SyStem (PASS) 2