Department of Animal Services (DAS) / Security Needs / Animal Shelter Locations / Funding
Council File 26-1291
Under review — after a September 2026 assault on staff, the city is examining security needs across all six animal shelters and what it would cost to add dedicated personnel at the highest-traffic locations.
This is the City Clerk's status for the council file itself, not the outcome of the measure. A file often stays open after the Council has already adopted an item. The summary above reflects the latest recorded action.
Brief
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez moved this item to direct the Department of Animal Services to evaluate security requirements across its shelter locations and identify necessary funding for improvements. The Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee approved it on September 16, 2026, moving it forward for potential City Council action. The motion targets operational safety and resource allocation at DAS facilities.
Full summary
A September 2026 physical attack on staff at the North Central Animal Shelter — in which an individual assaulted shelter personnel and veterinary clinic staff — prompted Councilmember Monica Rodriguez to call for a citywide review of security at all six Los Angeles Animal Services shelter locations. The motion, seconded by Councilmember Tim McOsker, directs the Department of Animal Services and other relevant city departments to report on the specific security needs at each shelter and identify the funding required to meet them. The motion argues that animal shelters face a distinct combination of risks: high volumes of public foot traffic, chronic staffing shortages, and the inherent unpredictability of interactions involving distressed animals and members of the public under stress. Rodriguez contends that dedicated security personnel could monitor entrances and exits, respond to threatening behavior, and assist during emergencies — freeing Animal Control Officers and care staff to focus on their core duties rather than serving as informal security. The motion explicitly frames security as a complement to, not a replacement for, existing tools such as cameras, radios, controlled access points, and LAPD coordination. The directive calls for prioritizing shelters with the highest public traffic and those with documented safety incidents or elevated concerns. It envisions a comprehensive security plan that protects employees, volunteers, and members of the public who rely on shelter services. The motion was referred to the Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee on the day it was introduced and remains pending there. No department report, committee hearing, or vote has been recorded to date. The file is in the earliest stage of the legislative process and does not expire until September 2028.
Activity (3)
- 2026-09-16 Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee approved item(s) .
- 2026-09-11 Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 16, 2026.
- 2026-09-09 Motion referred to Arts, Parks, and City Facilities Committee.
Documents (1)
- 2026-09-09 Motion · motion