Bureau of Animal Care and Control

Mission

The mission of the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Animal Care and Control is to serve the residents of the City of Pittsburgh by providing care, control, education, and resolutions to situations dealing with domestic animals and wildlife.

Departmental/Bureau Overview

The Bureau of Animal Care and Control provides assistance to the employees of the Public Safety Department, other City Departments, and the Allegheny County Health Department in situations involving animals, both domestic and wild. The Bureau assists the Pennsylvania Game Commission in tracking the rabies virus; enforces the Dangerous Dog Law; enforces City and State codes dealing with animals; issues citations and appears in court; keeps City parks animal-nuisance free; works with non-profit animal shelters; and provides consultation to other municipalities concerning animal issues. Animal Care and Control agents capture stray animals, assist in pet/owner recovery, resolve neighbor disputes over animals, assist the elderly and physically-challenged with animal concerns, advise and teach residents of their responsibility as pet owners, advise non pet owners of their rights, capture and release State and non-State- mandated wildlife, as well as capture domestic animals and wildlife. The Bureau also quarantines animals, provides removal of deceased animals, and assists the police and the District Attorney’s office with inhumane investigations. The Bureau of Animals Care and Control’s core services and programs include:

• Title Six of the Pittsburgh Municipal Code enforcement
• Collecting stray domestic animals
• Assisting in the resolution of neighbor disputes regarding animals
• Advising residents of their rights and responsibilities in relation to pet ownership
• Safely releasing non-rabies vector wildlife species to approved wildlife rehabilitation centers
• Implementing quarantine procedures for bite cases
• Removing and disposing of deceased animals
• Assisting residents with animals they may not be physically able to handle
• Managing the City of Pittsburgh’s spay and neuter program
• Issuing citations and attend court hearings for Title Six summary offenses and/or act as a witness for cruelty or neglect cases
• Assisting police officers with investigation or removal of animals
• Attend community meetings/events to educate residents about urban wildlife 2025 Accomplishments
• A new Assistant Supervisor position was created and filled, increasing operational capacity.
• A new records management system was implemented to replace paper forms and reports.
• A revised spay and neuter program began which allows delineates between owned and community cats, and creates additional guidelines to prevent abuse of the program.
• AC&C Officers rescued a variety of novel wildlife, including an albino raccoon in March, a coyote puppy in April, and a deer from a soccer net in September.
• In June, AC&C Officers, along with a Humane Society Police Officer, seized nine dogs from an owner due to alleged physical abuse of his dogs. The owner was later found guilty of animal abuse.

The labor agreements for Teamsters members expires on December 31, 2025. This budget reflects a 0% salary increase for members as conversations continue through Q4. The City anticipates that these numbers will change.