County Animal Control Wants Pepper Spray, Batons for Officers

By Dan Abendschein

Collapsible batons, pepper spray and ballistic vests are among the equipment that the County Department of Animal Control is recommending that each officer carry in the field going forward.

The recommendations come in the form of a report that will be discussed at Tuesday's County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The county department services Altadena and is responsible for handling responses to any dog attacks or wild animal sightings.

The county report was requested in the wake of the fatal pit bull attack of a woman in May in the unincorporated Antelope Valley.

"This tragedy underscores the important public safety role played by an animal control agency," reads the report.

In addition to the extra equipment, the department is requesting the Board fund five new positions and six new trucks, a total of $773,000 in new funding.  

Altadena Patch readers have discussed the issue of aggressive dogs before. In an article's comments from last May about two pitbulls attacking a man and his neighbor's dog, one reader lamented the disposition of pit bulls:

Pit bulls were bred to be fighting dogs, and though some can be sweet I guess, they have been created over generation to be more lethal than other dogs. ... What;s [sic] wrong with owning a less controversial breed?
Another reader pointed out a possible solution to aggressive pit bulls:
Euthanizing the dogs is not the answer and is wrong. The dogs deserve a chance at rehabilitation with a responsible pet parent. 
Do you think the county needs more animal control officers?  How about more equipment like pepper spray and batons?  What other changes would you like to see from the department?  Tell us in the comments.