The Oxnard Police Department Animal Safety Unit regulates domestic animals and predator control within the City of Oxnard. Animal Safety Officers (ASOs) respond to the calls regarding animal complaints, as well as the inspection of animal licensing records and overall license compliance throughout the City. ASOs are civilian Police Department employees who provide support services for the Field Services Bureau.
The Animal Safety Unit provides a variety of State and City mandated services related to animal safety and protection. Their mission is to promote and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of pets and people in the City of Oxnard.
The ASO Unit is currently comprised of two (2) officers and one (1) Senior Animal Safety Officer. In addition to these positions, the Unit also has two (2) part-time employees who provide customer service at the Civic Center’s Animal Safety payment counter. The Animal Safety Unit has part-time License Canvassers, who walk neighborhoods in an effort to maintain licensing compliance by making renewals convenient. The Unit operates 5 days a week, and officers remain on-call after hours for emergency situations.
Animal Safety Officers perform several functions pertaining to animal control, safety, and education, they include:
Investigate animal bites/cruelty cases Complete comprehensive reports
Quarantines/Impounds/Releases Promoting responsible pet ownership
Monitor shelter costs Animal Licensing
Public information and education Respond to citizen complaints
Animal Community Fairs Enforcement of State and City laws
Below are some statistics showing ASOs performed during 2018:
- 4,697 calls for service
- 17,363 animal licenses were issued/sold
- 774 ASO live impounds
- 7 animals reunited with owners (via Facebook, dog license, etc.)
- 65 animals were reunited with owners due to microchips and current licensing
ASOs have consistently connected with our animal community throughout the year. This was accomplished through events such as Community Animal Licensing Fairs, Spay and Neuter Clinics, Rabies Shot Clinics, and social media outreach (Facebook, Nextdoor.com). The Unit’s License Canvassers also acquired new official uniforms which assisted in compliance efforts with door-to-door canvassing.
