Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-384, Amending Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-10, Bites; Impounding
Recommended Action
I, introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-384, Amending Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-10, Bites; Impounding, and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council introduce the Ordinance amendment to the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-384 amending Chapter 6, Article I, Section 6-10, Bites/ Impounding, to clarify Animal Control Authority related to aggressive dog incidents involving domestic or pet animals.
Body
Sections 6-10 of the Los Alamos County Code currently address dog bite incidents and impounding procedures. The proposed amendment expands and clarifies the reporting language, include incidents involving domestic or pet animals besides human bite victims.
Animal Control Officers currently respond to aggressive dog incidents involving both people and animals. However, the existing ordinance language does not expressly state that bite incidents involving domestic or pet animals may trigger formal confinement, quarantine, assessment, or evaluation procedures.
The proposed amendment formalizes current operational practices and provides clear authority for Animal Control Officers to:
--Detain and quarantine dogs involved in aggressive incidents
--Assess and evaluate whether a dog presents an ongoing public safety concern
--Determine additional enforcement or safety measures
--Improve consistency and defensibility of enforcement actions.
The amendment is intended to strengthen public safety protections while ensuring clear and consistent application of animal control procedures.
Proposed Public Hearing Scheduled for: June 30, 2026
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
There are no anticipated fiscal impacts.
Attachments
A - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-384