Officials Look to L.A. for Animal Control
Saying the animal control services they receive from Ventura County are inadequate, Oak Park officials have agreed to move forward with plans to contract with Los Angeles County for help with lost pets and dangerous wildlife.
If the details can be worked out, the small, unincorporated area may have a new package of services--ranging from help with stray dogs to rattlesnakes--as early as next year, said Douglas Hewitson, a member of the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council.
Although Ventura County now provides such services to the area, residents say the county’s Camarillo-based department is too slow to respond to urgent problems in the distant community.
Frank Andrews, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, told council members that his Agoura Hills shelter could respond to an emergency in about 15 minutes.
Currently, Ventura County officials take a minimum of two hours to respond to calls from Oak Park, said Hewitson.
“Sometimes they tell you they will make it tomorrow,” he said.
Los Angeles County officials will present the Oak Park council with a proposal outlining costs and services in May.
The money would come from property taxes now supporting Ventura County animal control, charges for services at the Agoura Hills shelter and licensing fees.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
