Animal Control and Enforcement…

The City of Yakima Community Service Officers respond to animal-related calls within the city limits of Yakima only. For animal-related calls located outside of the city limits of Yakima, contact the Yakima County Sheriff Department non-emergency number at (509) 574-2500 or the local jurisdiction. Not sure if you reside in the city limits? Policing Districts | Yakima Police Department

Community Service Officers respond to citizen complaints regarding nuisance dogs, such as barking and keeping dogs in a nauseous, foul or offensive manner. Community Service Officers also respond to sick and injured animals, as well as removing dead animals from streets and sidewalks. They investigate reports of animal abuse and neglect to assure the welfare of animals is being met. They respond to reports of dangerous dogs that are threatening the safety of people and their animals, and to incidents of dog bites. Community Service Officers have the ability to charge people with violations of the Yakima Municipal Code pertaining to animals and can have violators arrested.

At this time, we are unable to respond to reports of stray dogs or stray or feral cats. Community Service Officers also do not respond to nuisance wildlife, such as skunks or racoons. Please contact a Wildlife Control Operator.

All animals picked up by Community Service Officers are taken to the Yakima Humane Society of Central Washington. The Humane Society is located at 2405 W. Birchfield Rd. near the intersection of WA-24 E / Nob Hill Blvd. and S. 24th Street, just east of the Yakima Area Arboretum in Sherman Park. Please contact them for their business hours of operation at (509) 457-6854.

For barking dog complaints, Community Service Officers can charge the dog owner with the violation of YMC 6.20.280. Declarations of Probable Cause must be completed by two separate households or a recording of the behavior for the specified period of time must be submitted with the report before any charges can be filed in court.