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ATTACHMENT I <br /> 17 <br /> ANIMAL CONTROL AND APS CRUELTY INVESTIGATION <br /> COORDINATION PROTOCOL <br /> The Orange County Animal Cruelty and Neglect Investigation <br /> Programs are committed to the protection of animals and to the <br /> relief of suffering of animals . Trained investigators <br /> investigate complaints of cruelty and neglect and take <br /> appropriate action to insure humane treatment of animals . <br /> This document outlines the protocol to coordinate the Orange <br /> County Animal Control and the Animal Protection Society of <br /> Orange County cruelty investigation programs . <br /> 1 . Each of the two organizations is responsible and <br /> accountable for its respective role and duties . Each is <br /> committed to work with the other in a spirit of <br /> cooperation and coordination to maintain strong programs <br /> and to provide the best possible protection and service to <br /> the animals and citizens of Orange County. <br /> 2 . Each agency shall have written procedures for cruelty <br /> investigation, which shall include the HSUS guidelines for <br /> cruelty investigations and other agreed upon procedures , <br /> and it shall be the responsibility of the director of each <br /> agency to ensure that these procedures are followed. <br /> 3 . Each agency .shall identify the employees that are <br /> authorized to investigate animal cruelty complaints, and <br /> those employees authorized to exchange information <br /> regarding animal cruelty investigations. <br /> 4 . Each agency will meet monthly to discuss cruelty <br /> investigation program coordination. <br /> 5 . Both agencies shall, upon request from the other, provide <br /> available information to the other, with the exception of <br /> matters of anonymity or confidentiality which could in <br /> some way jeopardize the complainant or the investigation <br /> itself . <br /> 6 . Either agency may invite the other agency into a joint <br /> investigation at any time. <br /> 7 . Either agency may refer a case to the other agency at any <br /> time, upon mutual agreement. <br />