Newsroom

In the “Newsroom” portion of SEAACA’s website, articles and information relevant to animal control and SEAACA will be posted periodically providing information for the community.

Enjoy the Newsroom!


5 dogs confiscated after animal cruelty investigation

  

5 dogs confiscated after animal cruelty investigation

 

February 26, 2024 - Eric Pierce

 

DOWNEY — Five dogs were removed Monday after police investigated allegations of animal cruelty in Downey.

Officers responded to the 8100 block of Firestone Blvd. at about 9:30 am with animal control officers from the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) after reviewing video on social media that appeared to show possible animal cruelty with an injured dog at the location.

Police located seven dogs on the property. Food and water was present but two of the dogs appeared to need medical attention for injuries and a medical issue, officials said.

No deceased dogs were found.

Animal control officers removed five of the dogs.

SEAACA is the lead agency handling the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact animal control supervisor Richard Lyons at (562) 803-3301 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Public Health Investigating Respiratory Disease in LA County Dogs

For Immediate Release:

November 21, 2023

Public Health Investigating Respiratory Disease in LA County Dogs

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Program has received multiple reports of dogs experiencing a sudden respiratory illness of unknown origin, similar to case reports in other states. Symptoms include cough, nasal discharge, sneezing and lethargy in dogs. Currently, Public Health is in case-finding mode to determine if and to what extent there is a new respiratory illness impacting dogs in Los Angeles County. As additional information becomes available, we will update the public.

Since Thursday, November 16, 2023, we have received ten case reports from veterinarians of dogs that have respiratory illness but tested negative on the respiratory panel that tests for common viruses and bacteria seen in dogs with similar symptoms. Owners are being contacted to determine where the dogs may have become infected. We are communicating with federal and state entities to ensure coordinated efforts as we learn more from our ongoing investigations.

This respiratory illness is currently known as Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (aCIRD). Cases are currently defined as having a negative canine respiratory PCR test panel, which tests for common viruses and bacteria identified in dogs with similar symptoms, PLUS one of the following clinical scenarios:

  • Chronic mild-moderate respiratory infection that lasts more than six weeks that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics;
  • Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics; or
  • Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24-36 hours

Given the lack of knowledge about the cause of this disease, veterinarians and dog owners are advised to be on the lookout for symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and lethargy (lack of energy) in their dogs.

 

If a dog is experiencing these symptoms, owners should take the following steps:

  1. Contact their pet’s veterinarian so the pet may be evaluated, and, if indicated, the appropriate tests and medications may be provided.
  2. Isolate sick dogs at home for a minimum of 28 days past the first day of the onset of illness. Dogs exposed to the sick dog should quarantine at home and away from other dogs for 14 days to monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness.
  3. Clean regularly and disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, keyboards, and animal equipment. To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution.
  4. Keep the dog home and away from day care, boarding kennels, grooming facilities, and dog parks.
  5. If a dog becomes ill after being boarded or being in a facility, owners should take it to a veterinarian for evaluation and they should also notify the facility about the illness.

Read The Full Report at Dept's Website

West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes Confirmed in Los Angeles County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2023

Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
12545 Florence Avenue,
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
562-944-9656

 

Media Contacts

Caroline Gongora, Acting Public Information Officer | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 562-967-9030 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes Confirmed in Los Angeles County

This is the first positive West Nile virus mosquito sample within the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District service area for this year.

 

Santa Fe Springs, CA (June 5, 2023) – The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD/District) has confirmed a West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample in Los Angeles County. The positive mosquito sample was collected from a mosquito trap in the City of Burbank, confirming the presence of the virus in mosquito populations within the community.

“West Nile virus is spread among the wild bird populations and transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito,” said Steve Vetrone, director of scientific-technical services at GLACVCD. “This virus is endemic in our region which means we will always see virus activity in Los Angeles County.”

The native Culex mosquito is capable of transmitting West Nile virus, and it is most active during dusk and dawn. Because there is no human vaccine for West Nile virus, residents must be proactive against mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent. There are different kinds of mosquito repellents available, but they do not all work equally well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as being safe and effective when used according to the labels.

“We encourage residents to protect themselves by applying insect repellent with one of the recommended active ingredients at 15% or higher when outdoors, particularly at dusk and dawn,” said Vetrone. “Residents can also wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants to help deter bites.”

Mosquito control is a shared responsibility and residents must take an active role in reducing the threat of WNV in their neighborhoods by taking the following steps:

• Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for over a week.

• Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.

• Change the water in pet dishes, bird baths and other small containers weekly.

• Report neglected (green) swimming pools in your neighborhood to the district.

 

For an extensive list of common indoor and outdoor sources and recommended solutions, visit bit.ly/diy-mosquito-solutions. For more information, residents can contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at 562- 944-9656, online at www.GLAmosquito.org, or on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

 

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About West Nile virus:

WNV is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for WNV. One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several days to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

About GLACVCD

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District is a public health service agency formed under the authority of the California State Health & Safety Code. Our mission is to reduce populations of public health vectors below nuisance levels and prevent human infection associated with mosquito-transmitted diseases.

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Best Friends Animal Society and SEAACA Partner to Save At-Risk Kittens with Expanded Foster Program

Partnership

Local Foster Homes Needed Now to Increase Pet Lifesaving for Kittens in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA (July 24, 2023) — Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, and Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), animal care and control services for 14 cities in southeast Los Angeles County and northern Orange County, are joining forces to expand SEAACA’s existing kitten foster program. This will increase the shelter's capacity to care for orphaned, vulnerable and unweaned kittens. By expanding the program’s ability to recruit, train and support fosters, the organizations will be able to have an even greater impact on pet lifesaving.

In 2022, SEAACA took in 1,894 kittens, of which 1,037 (55%) were saved. By collaborating with Best Friends to expand the existing foster program, the shelter can build upon their commitment to increase lifesaving for kittens in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Kittens brought into the shelter from SEAACA’s service area can be fostered by local volunteers. Beginning in July, the program will be piloted for six months after which it will transition fully to the shelter with ongoing support from Best Friends.

The partnership launch is timed to “Kitten Season”—the time of year when un-spayed female cats have most of their kittens. During May to November, communities across the country see a surge in their cat populations with thousands of kittens arriving in overwhelming numbers at local animal shelters. Kittens, especially newborns, are among the most at-risk population in a shelter environment and require specialized and around-the-clock care to help them thrive. This enhanced program will help to mitigate kittens from entering the shelter by getting them into foster homes until they can be adopted.

"Starting and running a successful foster program with volunteer support can be a significant challenge for an animal shelter,” said Brittany Thorn, Executive Director, Best Friends Animal Society, Los Angeles. “SEAACA is committed to increasing their lifesaving programming, but it takes a community to help save its homeless pets. We are looking forward to working with the shelter team and local volunteers to create a thriving program for the community and their pets.”

“SEAACA has been making tremendous strides to increase animal lifesaving, particularly with the vulnerable, unweaned kitten population,” said Denise Woodside, Executive Director, SEAACA. “We recognize that we cannot do this alone and receiving support from our community and lifesaving partners like Best Friends Animal Society is crucial to SEAACA’s ongoing efforts. We are grateful for the partnership, enthusiasm and support of Best Friends Animal Society as we all work together to increase animal lifesaving.”

Community support is integral to pet lifesaving. Foster families and transport drivers are some of the most important components of a successful lifesaving program for kittens. Fostering kittens is an easy way to help and all supplies and training will be provided at no cost. To start fostering and take in a pet in need, please sign-up here or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,300 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

About Southeast Area Animal Control Authority
SEAACA proudly provides animal care and control services for 14 cities in southeast Los Angeles County and northern Orange County, including Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Buena Park, Downey, Lakewood, La Palma, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate and Vernon. SEAACA's Animal Care Center located in Downey reunites pet owners with lost pets and actively engages community members and groups to find placement for unclaimed animals. SEAACA remains dedicated to lifesaving progress.

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