The History of the Los Angeles Animal Services Department

The Guard Dog Ordinance, established January 1 , 1986, was an ordinance meant to improve the well-being of guard dogs, not a means to regulate them. Guard dogs are, by definition, dogs maintained on any commercial or industrial premises . Within this definiton are dogs that are kept, used or maintained on any industrial or commercial premises to guard, protect, patrol, or defend any property or person other than a sentry dog licensed under Section 53.64 of this Code ( New manual Section 3:652 Guard Dog Investigation (Item F.10.2)).

In the past, the Department had received many notices of ill treatment and lack of welfare to these animals. For example, there was the case of “Three German Shepherd Guard Dogs” who were locked in two outer sheds ( Reed Family Charges (Item B.40.39)). Upon inspection, it was revealed that the premise had  overcrowding, scarcity of food and water, and overall unsanitary conditions. Another account of mistreatment was the case of Max Dobbermaan, a guard dog who was subject to cruelty by business companies that attempt to turn these animals into vicious dogs that they can sell to businesses and construction sites. Upon rescue, Max was found was cowering from fear, starving, and traces of scarring were prevalent. He also had lost hair, his skin was inflamed, and he was beaten with chains. Luckily, Max was adopted after 9 months of rehabilitation by a young couple who lovely looked after him. (Attack Dog Find Love After Abuse- News Articles (Item F.18.7)). It is ultimately the consequence of these events that the Department enacted the Guard Dog ordinance, making the dogs under their full jurisdiction.

The Guard Dog Ordinance was a crucial implementation to ensure that guard dogs got the care they deserved, meanwhile holding owners accountable for any mistreatment. Some key aspects of the Guard Dog Ordinance include vaccinating the dogs against rabies, distemper, and hepatitis, having annual pet examinations, and providing a licensing tag that are affixed to the collar. Furthermore, there are shelter and food requirements, including: shelters being safe from weather, having floors off the ground free of cracks and rodents, clean conditions and of adequate capacity to accommodate the number of dogs. (Guard Dogs (Item F.18.1))

Once the Guard Dog Ordinance was put into effect, there were several investigation protocols put into place. To illustrate this,  Animal Control Officers were granted the authority to impound guard dogs from the premises — only  if the officer had evidence that the impoundment of the guard dog is best for the safety of the public. Such conditions included inhumane treatment, unattended injury, illness, malnutrition, and distress.  ( New manual Section 3:652 Guard Dog Investigation (Item F.10.2)).

The images above, ("Junkyard Dogs" images 1-6) portray an investigation that likely took place before the ordinance was implemented. Nonetheless, it clearly shows the conditions that encouraged the enforcement of these ordinances. There is food out in the open, not sealed or clean. The place is unsanitary and messy. One dog has his ears wrapped, which is indicative of possible injury, and there is apparent overcrowding. This further shows that this ordinance is one to commend.