Animal Control beefs up patrols in Los Altos

Long Beach Animal Control officers have initiated additional patrols to monitor the activities of wildlife in the Los Altos neighborhood

License Inspectors also will be going door-to-door to ensure that dogs are licensed and have current rabies shots -- as well as to check for open trash cans, and pet food or water bowls left outside.

Last year, reports of coyotes led to a Wildlife Watch workshop with the state Department of Fish & Game and residents.

"Coyotes are drawn to opportunities for food, water and shelter", John Keisler, Animal Care Services bureau manager. "Pet owners are advised to keep small animals and food indoors at all times."

Stray animals will be impounded and animal owners will be cited for violations until the wildlife activity abates, Keisler added.

Implementation of increased patrol and enforcement program in zip code 90815 is in direct response to increasing hazards of coyote interactions posing a threat to pets, as determined by Long Beach Animal Care Services.

A Wildlife Watch designation is placed on a neighborhood or zip code to address the increase in human-wildlife conflict. This designation has occurred because reported wildlife incidents in a neighborhood or zip code have reached Level 4 or above:

1. Increase in wildlife on streets and in yards at night;
2. Increase in wildlife approaching adults and/or taking pets at night;
3. Wildlife on streets, and in parks and yards, in early morning/late afternoon;
4. Wildlife chasing or taking pets in daytime;
5. Wildlife attacking and taking pets on leash or near owners; chasing joggers, bicyclists, other adults;
6. Wildlife seen in and around children's play areas, school grounds, and parks in midday with children present;
7. And wildlife acting aggressively towards adults or children in midday.

Animal Care Services officials will schedule increased enforcement activities in the designated area. This may include:

-- An additional animal control officer will be assigned to the area for patrol and assessment during reported high-activity times and locations and issue citations for violations;
-- Residents will be cited for free-roaming dogs and unaltered cats;
-- License Inspectors will canvass the neighborhood to distribute education material, verify license and rabies forms, and issue citations; 
-- Officers will collect reports regarding wildlife activity of animal owners in designated areas to share with county, state and federal wildlife agencies

Any incidents involving wildlife at Level 4 and greater (see list above) should be reported immediately to emergency services 9-1-1. Residents are encouraged to report all other wildlife-related incidents as described in Level 1 through Level 3 to Animal Care Services. This may be done in one of the following three ways: Phone: 562. 570-PETS (7387); online at http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/wildlife/report/default.as; or email at animalcare@longbeach.gov.

For further information regarding Animal Care Services in Long Beach, call 562.570.7387, or link online at  www.longbeach.gov/acs.