Animal Safety

The Animal Safety Department provides service and protection to all persons within unincorporated Pitkin County with regards to animal issues. Duties include the enforcement of animal safety laws, conducting animal safety investigations, and providing conflict intervention within the community concerning animal safety issues. The Animal Safety Officer serves summonses, handles the detention of animals, and testifies in court regarding animal safety issues.
Doggie

Animal Safety Officer


The Animal Safety Officer is certified through the State of Colorado, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Protection. The Pitkin County Animal Safety Department is a Division of the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office.

For more information go to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office resource.

Services


  • Enforcement of laws relating to domestic animals and livestock, animal licensing and rabies vaccination requirements
  • Assisting with wildlife calls when a Wildlife Officer is not readily available
  • Overseeing the euthanasia of unwanted, unclaimed, diseased or injured companion animals; euthanizing injured or sick deer or elk; and the removal of dead animals and quarantine of animals when the threat of rabies is a factor
  • Investigation of animal safety complaints including but not limited to:
    • Abandonment
    • Animal bites
    • Barking dogs
    • Cruelty / neglect
    • Harassment
    • Injuries to animals 
    • Vicious dogs
    • Harassing Dogs
  • Providing information and public education through the press, schools, and various community meetings as well as with local veterinarians on animal safety issues