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Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
Heads up Ventura County, the summer is here and the heat is on.
Many of us love to take our pets for a ride when we run errands or are just cruising around taking in the beautiful landscapes of Ventura County and its beaches.
The Humane Society wants to give everyone a heads up on a previous law that has been amended to give our pet’s better protection when leaving them unattended in a motor vehicle.
The amended law is, Penal Code 597.7.
Under the amended law it says, no person shall confine or leave an animal in any motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.
Unless the animal suffers great bodily injury, a first conviction for violation of this code is punishable by a fine not exceeding ($100) per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, a violation of this code section is punishable by a fine not exceeding ($500), imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by fine and imprisonment. Any subsequent violation of this section regardless of injury to an animal is also punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
A peace officer, humane officer, or animal control officer is authorized to take all steps that are reasonably necessary for the removal of an animal from a motor vehicle including, but not limited to, breaking into the motor vehicle, after a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible.
In other words an officer can break out a window of the vehicle to rescue the animal. So not only will the person have to pay a fine, go to jail or both but then also pay for a new window.
Even when you park a car in the shade, leaving the windows partially down, it can get up to 160 degrees inside the vehicle. Our officers carry as standard equipment a digital thermometer to read the temperature inside the vehicle.
When you do take a pet in the car take precautions like bringing water and bowl, to keep your pet happy and safe. If you want to read more about this penal code you can see it online at, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html.
Column by
Jeff Hoffman
Director of Investigations
Humane Society of Ventura County
Posted in News |
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Check this article out on CNN about adopting your new forever friend!
Posted in News |
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
What exactly is a Humane Officer? Do they pick up lost dogs and investigate dog bites? Do they investigate barking complaints or pick up dead animals on the road side?
The answer to this is no. Humane Officers are unique in law enforcement. They are not classified as a peace officer but have many of the same powers as a police officer. It is the duty of a Humane Officer to enforce all laws to prevent cruelty to animals. Humane Officers can write citations, arrest people for abuse and neglect and can execute search warrants, anywhere in the state of California.
What is the difference between an animal control officer and a humane officer? Animal control officers protect people from animals. They enforce county ordinances pertaining to animals. They write infraction tickets. They can write tickets for unlicensed dogs and hold administrative hearing on nuisance dogs.
Humane officers protect animals from people. They enforce California Penal, Health and Safety codes and other laws that deal with animals. The Humane Society of Ventura County is the only agency that employs Humane Officers in Ventura County. Humane Officers are required by law to obtain a P.O.S.T. certification which deals with report writing, investigations, constitutional rights, firearms, and other training pertaining to law enforcement officers.
Our humane officers are required to complete two humane officer training academies accredited by the California State Humane Association. By law, officers are also required to complete forty hours of training every three years that deal with animal diseases, behavior, handling, court room demeanor, and investigations.
Humane Officers go through POST Officer psychological screening, and an extensive background investigation. Before an officer can go into the field to do investigations on their own they must ride with a veteran officer for six months.
Our officers work with people to educate and correct injustices caused to animals and are compassionate caring people.
If you would like more information about humane officers call or e-mail our shelter.
Jeff Hoffman
Director of Investigation
Posted in News |
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
We still have five magnificent horses available for adoption at the Humane Society of Ventura County! Click here to read an article written by Alicia Doyle at the Ventura County Star regarding the current state of these rescued horses.
Humane Society of Ventura County employees Rebecca Holder, left, and Patti Neal brush one of the five horses up for adoption at the Ojai shelter. Photo by Stephen Osman.
Posted in News |
Friday, April 15th, 2011
Do you have a new dog? Or maybe an older one that could use some training? Does your dog need a refresher course in manners?
The Humane Society of Ventura County will be hosting another session of dog obedience training beginning on August 16, 2011 and continuing on for 6 weeks.
Train your dog to sit, stay, heel, come and place. Teach them not to dash through doors, jump on people or play bite.
Classes begin at 6:00 p.m. Bring a 6 foot leash and choke chain to each class.
Dogs must have current vaccine records in order to participate.
For more information or to register call 805-646-6505.
Posted in News |
Monday, March 21st, 2011
Click here to watch an interview with our friendly Volunteer Coordinator Kate Nelson by Misty Volaski of the Ojai Valley News.
Posted in News |
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
Volunteers Italo De Los Reyes, Daniel Bautista and Salvador Garcia Gonzales have been helping out with the horses since they came to the shelter back in 2008. They can often be found welding corals, building shelters for the dogs and horses and even occasionaly transporting horses. Pictured above are Daniel and Salvador as they put up the Humane Society’s newest horse shelter. Italo’s sons, Benny and Jacob have also been a huge part of the volunteer effort assisting their father with his various projects. We want to send a big thank you to all of these amazing individuals!
Posted in News |
Hi, my name is Harvey and I am a 7 year young Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix. I am very playful, loving, housebroken and full of spunk. I would do great in a house with other animals or with someone who could spend some time with me.
