Contra Costa County Animal Services directors and field staff described the agency’s role, response procedures and limits during the Richmond Police Department’s monthly crime-prevention meeting on a Zoom call moderated by Michelle Milam.

Ben Winkleak, director of animal services for Contra Costa County, told attendees the agency is “the safety net for animals in the community,” handles stray and injured companion animals, investigates cruelty and neglect, follows up on bites and enforces county animal rules. Winkleak provided local caseload details for the current fiscal year: “we’ve impounded 935 animals from the city of Richmond,” he said, and animals from Richmond are in county care an average of about 17 days. He said the county had picked up 335 deceased animals in Richmond and had answered roughly 2,350 calls for service in the city.

Why it matters: Richmond residents who report animal concerns need to know which agency responds, what the reporting options are and when an animal can be legally seized. The county officials emphasized both public-safety duties and efforts to keep animals with owners when possible.

Winkleak said field staff perform a mix of law-enforcement work and social-service referrals. “Eighty plus percent of the job is customer service, and very little bit is actually dealing with the animals,” he said. He described shelter services including adoption events and a partnership that offers free vaccines and veterinary care at Civic Plaza.

Reporting and noise complaints: County staff said the preferred way to start a non-urgent complaint is the Animal Services portal on the Contra Costa County Animal Services website. For persistent barking, the department creates a case from portal submissions, not anonymous descriptions, and typically sends notice that gives the owner about 15 days to address the problem. If the situation continues, the complainant may be asked to file an affidavit and the department can pursue administrative fines or a hearing.

Urgent abuse and injured animals: For situations that appear to be active abuse or an injured animal that needs immediate attention, the staff said callers should use the department phone number to reach dispatch so an officer can be sent “as quickly as possible.” Winkleak said the portal is intended for chronic, non-emergency reports; he said “if you see an animal being abused, call us.”

Removal authority and due process: Winkleak cited California Penal Code section 597.1 as the legal authority that allows officers to take custody when “an officer feels a prompt action is required to protect its health and safety or the health and safety of the public.” He emphasized removal is an extreme measure: owners get notice and due process, including the right to appeal and a hearing, and “many animals that are removed are ultimately returned,” he said, after investigations determine the circumstances.

Role with law enforcement and wildlife: County staff said animal services frequently coordinate with police when officers encounter aggressive animals or when an owner is removed from a scene and animals need care. They also said injured wildlife is handled by state wildlife agencies, not animal services, except when a wild animal has had direct contact with a person or domestic pet and rabies control is needed.

Helping people keep pets: County staff described outreach and service referrals to help owners retain animals when possible — including linking people to veterinary care, food and temporary supports. The staff said they often assist people who are unhoused and own animals, noting that many people treat pets as family and that outreach aims to provide resources rather than immediate removal.

Public questions and evidence tips: County staff encouraged residents to document chronic problems (dates, times, audio or video if safe to capture) because specific location and evidence improve the department’s ability to respond. They said they will post the portal link in the meeting chat for attendees.

Quotes in context are from Ben Winkleak and from Michelle Milam, moderator and crime prevention manager, Richmond Police Department. The article reports only on points the speakers made in the meeting and does not add facts beyond those statements.

The meeting moved next to a separate agenda item on encampments after the animal-services presentation.