Responsible Pet Ownership Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The county of San Diego Department of Animal Services , in cooperation with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office and the office of the San Diego County District Attorney, developed a three-hour educational Responsible Pet Ownership program to reduce recidivism of animal law violators. The program also promotes a cooperative relationship with animal owners, while saving the courts, prosecutors’, and public defenders’ offices and taxpayers’ dollars. Similar to “traffic school” programs used by courts around the US for minor traffic offenses, the program offers rehabilitation opportunities for pet owners, giving them a better understanding of the law. It also helps relieve the strain on the overburdened court system. Prosecutors and judges can require animal law violators to attend this program as a part of the penalty for violations of minor animal-related, non-cruelty (misdemeanor) laws, either through plea agreements or post-trial as part of sentencing. It also provides post-class resources to individuals who are either facing or have been convicted of minor animal-related, non-cruelty laws.