Animal Control Officers Kept on a Leash?

Lt. Brian Frick goes out in the morning not knowing whether he’s going to be confronted by an ex-con with a pit bull or a stray Chihuahua.

The 23-year veteran Orange County animal control officer carries a shotgun and tranquilizer rifle in his truck, which sets him apart from hundreds of other animal care officers in Southern California. In Orange County’s Animal Care Services department, ranking officers, sergeants and above, may carry weapons. Most officers are armed with a come-along, a long pole with a loop of rope to capture strays.

“Usually, I just carry my come-along stick and rely on our training to do the rest,” said Frick, 48, who has pulled the shotgun out of its holder to kill critically injured animals.

The public often assumes that an animal control officer packs a sidearm, pepper spray or a Taser, and has arresting authority.

But they are not certified law enforcement officers.

They can, however, cite violators for unleashed or unlicensed dogs, the equivalent of a speeding ticket. In Orange County, the maximum fine for such a misdemeanor is $111.

The role of the animal control officer is often misunderstood, said Kenneth Morgan Phillips, a Los Angeles attorney who represents dog bite victims.

Phillips, called by some the “dog bite king,” has studied the history of animal control officers, which dates back to New York City in the 1860s, he said.

“Then, they did have arrest powers,” Phillips said. “But they’re an unusual creation of the law.... They’re a unique combination of a peace officer, but not a peace officer. And, of a government agent, and yet, not a government agent.”

Some of the confusion stems from the subtle differences between animal control officers and humane officers, such as those from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

For example, the Los Angeles SPCA’s officers are armed and can investigate and make arrests in animal cruelty cases. They also investigate suspected use of animals for gambling purposes, such as cockfighting.

“If a situation escalates to a certain level in the field, [Los Angeles] animal control officers are trained to call the local sheriffs and police,” said Kaye Michelson, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care.

Like Orange County’s, most Los Angeles County animal control officers do not carry weapons.

In Orange County, officers go through a three-month training course learning breeds, pet laws, diseases such as rabies, and how to use equipment. Starting pay is $15 an hour.

They also learn how to deal with angry pet owners.

“We have a low-tolerance policy regarding belligerent citizens,” said Ryan Drabek, a spokesman for Orange County Animal Care Services. “We have radios and have our dispatcher call for a police officer.”

When outnumbered by aggressive dogs, officers know to call for backup from their department or law enforcement.

Recently, Frick needed help handling two loose pit bulls that had killed a cat and a small dog. It took Frick and another control officer to capture the dogs.

A situation with a vicious dog can escalate in seconds, Frick said. He once chased a German shepherd mix into the dog’s yard. As Frick sprinted into the yard, he closed the gate.

“But once the gate was closed, the dog turned, snarled and attacked,” Frick said. “I turned to open the gate, but my wedding ring caught on the fence. As he jumped at my face, I ducked and he slammed into the fence. With my free hand, I used my pole to push him off, nearly wrenching my ring finger from the fence. It was a close call.”

Ruby Sharum, 91, of Orange was not as lucky. She was attacked in February by her great-grandson’s pit bull as she was putting away her groceries.

Both her arms were mauled and had to be amputated above the elbow. The dog was euthanized.

The Presa Canario, a stocky, barrel-chested breed, gained national notoriety in January 2001 after two such dogs mauled a college lacrosse coach to death in the hallway of her San Francisco apartment building.

In August, Frank Baldwin, 23, an animal control officer in Martin County, Fla., was mauled by two pit bulls while answering a report that a jogger and a bicyclist had been bitten.

Because of the attack, Martin County changed its policy. Its animal control officers now carry Tasers -- electric stun guns -- a nonlethal but effective weapon.

“The Taser, in contrast to the catch pole, allows us to stand at a greater distance from a vicious or aggressive dog,” Baldwin said. “It’s a comfort to know I got that on my belt.”