by Timothy Rutt
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that county Animal Care and Control may receive up to $3.1 million boost to its budget, including capital expenditures to protect the public from dangerous dogs.
In a statement from Antonovich's office, $775,000 has been approved for additional staffing and equipment in the final recommended budget, and $2.4 million set aside for adoption in the supplemental budget.
What this means in concrete terms is that five additional officers will be deployed on July 1, and nine new positions will be added to the Critical Case Processing Unit team, which investigates dangerous dog cases. Three officers will be added to the Major Cases Unit, which investigates animal cruelty, neglect, hoarding, and illegal animal fighting.
The monies will also go to a new communications center in the Antelope Valley, new vehicles, and protective equipment.
“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.
