Community Development

The best way to report animal cruelty or nuisances is to call (360) 397-2488, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Due to limited staff on weekends, officers only will respond to situations that are life threatening to a person or animal. Our offices are closed on all major holidays. If you have an emergency then, please call 911.

You may also submit a report online.

Cruelty and nuisance violations

• Bees are considered agricultural, and therefore, are not currently subject to regulation. Learn more...
• Inflicting pain or suffering - Intentionally or negligently causing or allowing animals to endure pain, suffering or injury, including not providing needed veterinarian care.
• Loose dogs - "Running at large" means to be off the owner's property and not under the control of either the owner or a person authorized by the owner.
• Neglect - Neglect or failure to provide minimum care sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal within reasonable care, custody and control of the owner. This does not include emergencies or circumstances beyond the owner's control.
• Noise - Any animal that howls, yelps, barks or makes other noises that disturb a person or neighborhood to an unreasonable degree. Noises must be continuous for 10 or more minutes or intermittent for 30 or more minutes, except noises made by livestock on land zoned to allow livestock. 
   

  While enforcement is possible, first consider talking to your neighbor about the problem. Another alternative is Community Mediation Services. They often are successful at resolving neighborhood nuisances without using up limited law enforcement resources.

  If those options are unsuccessful, please submit a complaint using the form below. We will contact the animal owner. If our warnings and advice do not correct the problem, civil penalties can be issued based on a noise petition or a video that includes audio of the violation.

• Too many animals - "Kennel" means either:
  • Any premises used to conduct commercial business involving buying, selling, breeding for sale, letting for hire, boarding or training of dogs.
  • Any premises where 10 or more adult dogs are kept for any purpose, including animal shelters.
• Vicious animals - "Vicious" means showing an unprovoked tendency to endanger the safety of people, animals or property.

Horse neglect and abuse

If you observe any of the following conditions, please contact Animal Control at (360) 397-2375 ext. 2488:

• No dry area for horse to shelter in or stand on
• Little or no food and water
• No regular caretaker visits
• Visible hip bones and ribs
• Questionable physical appearance of other animals on the property

Documents

Rabies information
Living with coyotes

Codes

Clark County Code - Title 8
CCC - Title 8: Animal cruelty
CCC - Title 8: Dangerous dogs
CCC - Title 8: Nuisances
Vancouver Municipal Code, Chapter 8.24 Animals
Yacolt Dog Ordinance #383