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Animal Control Unit
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The Animal Control Unit is part of the Lynnwood Police Department. For immediate response, please call 911. For general information, call (425)
670-5660 and an animal control officer will contact you as soon as possible.
Additional
Information can be found below about Pet
Licensing and other animal control
related information.
 | Animal Control Officers Bernie
Federmeyer and Paul Coleman |
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The mission of the Animal Control Unit is to provide service to the residents of the City of Lynnwood by
actively patrolling the City to regulate, educate and enforce situations involving animal behavior, care and
licensing.
Authorized staffing for the Animal Control Unit consists of two
full-time officers.
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Animal control officers
assisted court security officers during
their military duty, vacations and sick
leave. In this capacity animal control
officers provided 260 hours to courtroom
security; time away from performing their
primary field duties. The animal control
officers maintained a proactive field
presence, responded to a variety of calls,
provided public education presentations and
responded to public information requests
-
Animal control officers
continued their work of augmenting patrol at
incidents such as traffic collisions,
vehicle prowls, stolen vehicle recoveries,
impounds, parking complaints, ordinance
violations, animal complaints, and various
non-emergency counter reports.
Animal control officers attended a 3-day
police skills refresher course as well as
maintaining department required hazardous
materials awareness, defensive tactics,
taser and blood borne pathogens training,
and department firearms proficiency.
Animal control officers continued to
investigate animal bites and aggressive dog
reports and conducted follow-up inspections
of kennel residences. This activity resulted
in criminal charges being filed against the
owners of several different dangerous
animals that were in violation of city
ordinance.
Additionally, officers continue to
monitor several animals that have been
declared dangerous to ensure ongoing
compliance and public safety.
In 2008, two new radar display board
trailers were purchased. Animal control
officers resumed their role as the primary
body responsible for the placement of the
radar trailers, while working in conjunction
with the Traffic Section to coordinate
trailer placement locations.
| Animal Control Statistics |
2007 |
2008 |
%Change |
| Reports Taken |
| Animal related |
168 |
89 |
-47% |
| Illegal dumping |
8 |
13 |
62% |
| Lost/Found property |
46 |
51 |
11% |
| Impounded vehicles |
66 |
44 |
-33% |
| Other miscellaneous |
66 |
27 |
-60% |
| Citations Issued |
| Handicap parking |
168 |
178 |
6% |
| Unauthorized handicapped parking |
29 |
62 |
114% |
| Animal control violations |
56 |
52 |
-7% |
| Miscellaneous parking |
446 |
503 |
-13% |
| Criminal traffic |
0 |
0 |
NA |
| Criminal non-traffic |
10 |
12 |
20% |
| Correctional/Warnings Issued |
| Parking |
51 |
58 |
14% |
| Handicap |
33 |
31 |
-6% |
| Animal related |
64 |
42 |
-34% |
| Abandoned vehicles |
371 |
322 |
-13% |
| Additional Statistics |
| Hours in training |
91 |
84 |
-7% |
| Total number of calls for service |
2,658 |
2,726 |
3% |
| Hours in radar/traffic safety setup |
129 |
102 |
-21% |
| Court security |
338 |
260 |
-23% |
| Lock outs |
219 |
263 |
20% |
Some additional duties and highlights for 2005 include:
- Animal Control officers continued their work of augmenting patrol at incidents such as traffic collisions,
vehicle prowls, stolen vehicle recoveries, impounds, parking complaints, ordinance violations, animal
complaints and various non-emergency counter reports.
- Animal Control officers resumed their role as the primary body responsible for the placement of the radar
trailers, while working in conjunction with the Traffic Section to coordinate trailer placement locations.
The officers spent over 336 hours working on this project during 2005 and ensured the two traffic trailers
were utilized nearly every day.
- Animal Control officers continued their work of augmenting patrol at incidents such as traffic
collisions, vehicle prowls, stolen vehicle recoveries, impounds, parking complaints, ordinance
violations, animal complaints and various non-emergency counter reports.
- Animal Control officers resumed their role as the primary body responsible for the placement of the
radar trailers, while working in conjunction with the Traffic Section to coordinate trailer placement
locations. The officers spent over 336 hours working on this project during 2005 and ensured the two
traffic trailers were utilized nearly every day.
Listed below is a synopsis of the Lynnwood Animal Laws that apply to most pet owners. For more information on these and other animal control laws, please contact Animal Control or the Lynnwood Police Department to read the ordinance as written.
Every dog and cat six months old or older must be licensed and must wear the license tag on its collar or harness. Licenses are issued for a period of one year from July 1st through June 30th. Permanent licenses are available if the animal is spayed or neutered and are valid for the life of your pet. Listed below are the license fees:
Dogs
Male/female = $50.00 per year (Temporary License)
Neutered/spayed = $5.00 per year (Permanent License)
Cats
Male/female = $50.00 per year (Temporary License)
Neutered/spayed= $5.00 per year (Permanent License)
For more information about obtaining a
pet license, please call the Police
Department Front Desk: 425-670-5600 or
Animal Control at 425-670-5660
If your dog bites someone, approaches and chases people or inflicts severe damage, it can be declared a dangerous dog and subject to confiscation, or you will be required to meet confinement regulations. A dangerous dog must be registered with the City Clerk each year. If you have any questions, please contact Animal Control
at 425-670-5660.
You may have a maximum of three dogs and/or cats over six months of age on premises in the city.
- Animal running at large and/or no license
- Animal bite
- Cruelty
- Dangerous dogs
If your animal is off your property and not under your immediate control by means of a leash, cord or chain no longer than eight feet, it is considered "at large."
If your animal bites someone, breaking the skin of that person, you MUST report this to Animal Control at 911 and the animal must be quarantined for 10 days, either at the owner's residence or at a shelter at the owner's expense.
It is unlawful to own or keep an animal which unreasonably annoys or disturbs others with frequent or habitual howling, yelping, or crying.
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly subject any animal to inhumane treatment.
It is unlawful for the owner or person in charge of any dog in heat to keep such a dog in a fashion where it is accessible to male dogs.
The Nuisance ordinance applies to pets and their owners as follows:
- Excessive or untimely barking
- Molesting passersby
- Chasing vehicles
- Attacking other domestic animals
- Depositing excretory matter on property
- Running at large
 | Miniature Pinschers with behavioral problems
are restrained in a cage |
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When a licensed animal is impounded, the officer shall make every attempt to notify the owner of the impound and the reason for the impoundment. However, if you find your pet missing,
it is your obligation to ascertain the location of your pet. While every effort is made to notify owners of impounded animals, it remains the responsibility of the owner to locate missing pets.
Mink, goats, foxes, and hogs may not be kept within the city limits.
Dogs and cats are welcome in all city parks with the exception of the Meadowdale Playfields and Lynnwood Athletic Complex.
All animals must be on a leash and you are required to promptly clean up any waste left by your pet.
You are responsible for your pet at all times and you are required by ordinance to promptly remove any waste products left by your pet on public or private property. Always remember, children could be playing in the same area.
City ordinance requires a minimum of 20,000 square feet per animal and fencing of a type and size as to prevent encroachment on adjacent property. A building for housing animals shall be provided
with a minimum of 200 and a maximum of 250 square feet. The building must be 25 feet from the property line.
- Abide by the law - license your pet, attach license to collar, keep it off streets and provide proper food, water, care and, most of all, love.
- Don't allow your animals to have unwanted litters. Spay or neuter your pet(s).
- Don't let your pet bother your neighbors by barking or being a nuisance.
- Remove waste products quickly and prevent health hazards.
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