CITY OF LONG BEACH

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

7700 E. Spring St. * Long Beach, CA 90815 * (562) 570-7387 * FAX (562) 570-3053
Animal Care Services Bureau

PROCEDURES FOR FILING COMPLAINTS FOR VIOLATIONS OF

THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 6: ANIMAL LAWS

o DOG NOISE PROHIBITED LBMC 6.16.110

o DOG LEASH REQUIRED LBMC 6.16.100 A.
o DEFECATION REMOVAL REQUIRED LBMC 6.16.200

1. Complainant Informs Animal Care Services of Alleged Violation(s)

To initiate the complaint process for any violation of the municipal code, the complainant should
contact Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387 and provide specific evidence if
available (i.e. animal address, owner name, date, time, nature of activity, additional witnesses, photo)
to customer support representative.

2. Animal Control Officer Makes Contact with Responsible Person

An Animal Control Officer will attempt to locate the Personal Responsible and personally serve the
warning of potential violation. If the enforcement officer determines that a Personal Responsible has
violated a section of the municipal code, the officer may issue a citation at that time (i.e. license
requirement, proof of rabies inoculation, noise violation).

3. Person Responsible Afforded Reasonable Time for Corrective Action of Non-safety Violations
Upon recommendations of the Animal Control Officer, the Person Responsible of the nuisance
animal will be given a reasonable amount of time to resolve the problem. The enforcement officer
will record any statements in response to the alleged violation.

4. If Alleged Violation Persists, Complainant Informs Animal Care Services

If alleged violations continue, complainant must inform Animal Care Services by phone and complete
the Petition to Declare a Witnessed Violation of the Long Beach Municipal Code. This provides the
enforcement officer with evidence—statements and signatures—under the penalty of perjury, to
support the issuance of a citation. Person Responsible is afforded the right to due process in the
form of a citation appeal hearing.

5. If Violation Persists, Complainant Informs Animal Care Services

If the violation persists, complainants must document and inform Animal Care Services. Each and
every day a violation exists constitutes a separate and distinct offense and is subject to additional
citations and penalties. Ongoing violations of the municipal code may result in criminal prosecution.

Updated: October 1, 2009