Palo Alto, CA -- On May 24, 2002, the City of Palo Alto Animal Services Division (ASD) responded to a dangerous dog call from the Mountain View Police Department. Since 1993, Mountain View has contracted with the City of Palo Alto to provide a broad range of animal services including response to sick, injured and aggressive animals, quarantines, protective custody, surrenders, adoptions and dispositions. Animal Control Officers impounded two rottweilers.

After a three day administrative hearing, the City of Mountain View found that the two animals were dangerous and turned them over to Palo Alto ASD for disposition. A subsequent appeal to the Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled in favor of the City. Dogs that have been deemed dangerous or have a history of bites or severe behavior problems are, by policy, not eligible for adoption to the public or established dog rescue groups. The dogs are scheduled to be euthanized after February 15th.

For information about the City of Mountain View dangerous dog procedures, please contact Mountain View City Attorney Michael Martello at 650/903-6303.

BACKGROUND ON PALO ALTO ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION

Palo Alto Animal Services, a division of the Palo Alto Police Department, provides a wide range of animal services to the City of Palo Alto and, by contract to the Cities of Los Altos, Mountain View and the Town of Los Altos Hills.

Palo Alto ASD is committed to place as many animals as there are people willing to become adoptive “parents.” After the animal passes both a health and temperament test, adoption counselors try to match up the right pet with the right owner. Last year, ASD was able to adopt 431 animals. An additional 107 were placed in partnership with rescue groups and other humane organizations. 436 missing animals were reunited with their human families, some through microchips that can be implanted at the on-site clinic.

In order to help stop unwanted pets before they are born, a low cost spay and neuter clinic is housed at the Animal Shelter at 3281 East Bayshore Road in Palo Alto. Last year the staff veterinarian performed over three thousand surgeries. Even with modern day education, prevention, and adoption programs, animal care workers are still forced to euthanize animals that, for a variety of reasons, cannot be placed. For pet owners, Palo Alto ASD offers advice on how to handle problematic pets before they must be surrendered and will do referrals to local training and pet behavior experts for those animals that need specialized attention.

For information about programs and services offered by the Palo Alto Animal Services Division, please call, 650/496-5971, after 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

###