Detroit Animal Care and Control Fact Sheet

2018

Service level and process improvements

  • Since January 2018, Detroit Animal Care and Control has added 11 additional staff, 2 fleet vehicles, and now have 7 day-a-week operations including evening hours for field trucks.
  • Detroit Animal Care and Control has eliminated the 3-month backlog for calls and now immediately put all calls in the dispatch cue.
  • In June 2018, Detroit Animal Care and Control launched an automated call system, to appropriately route calls and improve customer service.

Enforcement level

  • There have been 70 citations issued from January 2018-June 2018, a 106% increase as compared to 34 from January 2017-June 2017. The City has increased funding to expand the number of Animal Control Officers and Investigators and we expect enforcement to increase as new staff are added to the ranks.

Greater community safety

  • The number of people bitten by dogs has decreased 13% from 143 during January 2017-June 2017 compared to 125 from January 2018-June 2018.
  • The number of stray and/or dangerous animals removed from the community has increased 43% - from 4537 between June 2017-May 2018 to 3178 between June 2016 and May 2017.
  • In June 2018, Animal Care and Control removed 513 stray and/or dangerous animals from the community, the largest number of animal intakes since the Health Department assumed oversight of Animal Care and Control.

Added foster and adoption programs

  • Detroit Animal Care and Control also wants to ensure animals leave the facility quickly and safely which is why an adoption program was launched in March 2018 with 167 dogs adopted between March and June.
  • A foster program was implemented in March 2018 and Detroit Animal Care and Control has 28 enrolled foster homes.

Tethering

  • Under the City Ordinance, an animal may be tethered outdoors, but for no longer than three hours per day, must be actively monitored and have food and water available.
  • An Animal Control Officer may confiscate an IMPROPERLY tethered animal from an occupied property if 1.) the owner has given consent, or 2.) a warrant has been obtained or, 3.) the safety and/or health of the animal are in immediate danger. 
  • Detroit Animal Care & Control values the health and safety of animals and respects the property rights of residents who own animals. To report an animal in danger, please call Detroit Animal Care & Control at 313-224-6356.

Detroit Animal Care and Control recommends that residents call 911 if they feel a dog is posing an immediate threat to their safety or the safety of others. If you are not in danger and are calling from a safe place, please call Detroit Animal Care and Control to report stray or tethered dogs. You will be asked to provide your name, contact information, location, color and possible breed of the animal.