Animal Control

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litter of kittens

The Bend Police Department provides animal control services but does not have a dedicated Animal Control Division that handles these calls. During times of public emergency such as storms or severe weather, the Department may suspend responses to animal calls. See the below listed topics for further information.

Animal Neglect / Abuse

Under Oregon law, domestic animals (cats, dogs, etc.) are required to be provided with adequate medical care, food, water, and shelter “sufficient to preserve the health and well-being of an animal.”

If you see an animal being mistreated, please call 541-693-6911 to report the situation. If you believe the incident you are witnessing rises to the level of an emergency, please dial 911. Please be prepared to provide as much detail as possible.

Cougar Sightings

Deer / Wildlife

Wildlife in the state of Oregon (including skunks and raccoons) falls under the control of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. The Bend Police Department will respond to emergency wildlife calls that pose a danger to the public. Some examples would be motor vehicle accidents involving a deer unable to walk or a deer entangled in fencing. The Department does not respond to injured deer that are able to stand and walk. Unfortunately, deer walking with broken or missing legs are common in city limits due to deer having encounters with traffic.

During the spring, it is common to find unattended newborn fawns inside city limits. It is common for female deer to leave newborn fawns unattended for up to 24 hours while the female deer feeds. It is important to leave the fawn where you find it, and do not move or handle the fawn. Female deer are very protective of fawns and have been known to attack people and/or dogs when they feel their fawn is threatened. If the fawn is located in a dangerous place such as the middle of a street or the front door of a business, please contact the Bend Police Department or the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for further assistance at 541-693-6911.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/

Dog Bites

Dog Licensing

Oregon State Law and the Bend City Code require all dogs to be licensed by the County. This is required for dogs that are 6 months old or have a set of permanent canine teeth. The dog is required to wear the license. Vaccinating and licensing your dog helps prevent the spread of rabies in domestic animals and will help us return your dog if it is found running at large. For more information, visit:

https://www.deschutes.org/finance/page/dog-licenses

Dogs at Large

Dogs are required to be controlled on a tethered leash inside the City of Bend, except in an approved Bend Parks and Recreation dog park or on private property with the property owner’s permission. Dogs found running at large without a known owner can be taken to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, located at 61170 SE 27th Street, Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). If you locate a stray dog but are not able to take the dog to the Humane Society, you may request a pickup by calling the non-emergency number at 541-693-6911. This service is based on the current priority list of pending police calls for service. This service may not be offered all the time, depending on call load.

Release Fees

For more information about City Code as it relates to animals, please see Chapter 5.20.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I’ve found a lost pet, what do I do now?
Please take the pet to the Humane Society of Central Oregon. If you are unable to take the pet to them, call and give a detailed description of the pet. If the Humane Society is closed, or you are unable to do either of the above, please call non-emergency dispatch to request a pick-up (if it is a dog). Please note, that under OR law, if you find a domestic animal you are required to attempt to find the owner or do one of the above options. Failure to do so could result in criminal theft charges. In other words, “finders keepers” does not apply to domestic animals.
I’ve lost my dog/cat/rabbit/ferret/other pet, what do I do now?
Please call the Humane Society of Central Oregon and give them a detailed description of what your pet looks like and where it went missing from. There are also several online resources available, like Bend Craigslist Lost and Found, and a variety of different “Pets lost in Bend” type Facebook pages.
I see dogs in vehicles in the summer all the time. Isn’t that a crime?!
Under OR law (and contrary to popular belief), it’s not illegal to leave a dog in a vehicle unless doing so puts the animal in imminent danger of death or serious injury. Panting is a natural response to heat; a dog is not typically in distress if the only sign it is exhibiting is normal panting. If you see a dog in a vehicle that you legitimately believe to be in imminent danger of death or serious injury, please report it as appropriate.
My dog has its rabies tag, isn’t that the same thing as a Deschutes County dog license?
No. While proof of current rabies vaccination is required in order to obtain a dog license, a rabies tag is not the same as a dog license. Please call (541) 388-6637 for more information.
I’m interested in being prepared for an emergency (wildfire, earthquake, etc.), or preventing my pet from being lost. What should I do?
1. https://www.ready.gov/animalshas some great recommendations for people and pets
2. Microchip: A microchip with current contact information for you and an alternate contact (family member, friend, etc.) is the best way of ensuring your pet will be reunited with you, if it is lost or escapes during an event. While collars and tags can easily come off or be lost, a microchip will stay with your pet forever. Please contact your vet to learn more about this low-cost method of pet identification.
3. Photos: Take photos of your pet(s), from multiple angles. Keep them somewhere you would be able to access quickly if needed.
4. Collar and tags: Have you moved or changed phone numbers? Make sure to update your pet’s tags, update your information with Deschutes County Dog Licensing, and your vet’s office. By making sure your contact information is up to date, you are increasing the likelihood of a successful reunion with your pet.
I found a bat or other wildlife in my yard, and it looks sick. What do I do?
1. Do not touch it or attempt to move it. Move children and pets inside and away from the area.
2. Call non-emergency dispatch and request to speak with someone about the situation.
3. If a human comes in contact with a bat that is suspected to be rabid, contact Deschutes County Public Health immediately, at (541) 322-7400 and/or seek immediate medical treatment.
4. If a pet comes in contact with a bat that is suspected to be rabid, contact your veterinarian immediately.
5. For more information about rabies, visit the Oregon Public Health Department website.
My dog frequently escapes my yard, and I don’t have the resources to fix the situation. I also don’t want to get a ticket for my dog being at large. What can I do?
Contact Fences For Fido to ask about services they might be able to assist you with. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to find a way to contain your dog to your property.
I received a door hanger from Bend Police that says my dog was barking or at large. What do I do?
Contact the Officer that left the notice. The Officer was following up on a call, likely from someone in your neighborhood, about your dog “disturbing the peace.” Failure to correct the situation may result in citations being issued.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I’ve found a lost pet, what do I do now?

I’ve lost my dog/cat/rabbit/ferret/other pet, what do I do now?

I see dogs in vehicles in the summer all the time. Isn’t that a crime?!

My dog has its rabies tag, isn’t that the same thing as a Deschutes County dog license?

I’m interested in being prepared for an emergency (wildfire, earthquake, etc.), or preventing my pet from being lost. What should I do?

I found a bat or other wildlife in my yard, and it looks sick. What do I do?

My dog frequently escapes my yard, and I don’t have the resources to fix the situation. I also don’t want to get a ticket for my dog being at large. What can I do?

I received a door hanger from Bend Police that says my dog was barking or at large. What do I do?