CHICK TARGETS DOG AGENCY HANDLE COMPLAINTS BETTER, CONTROLLER URGES.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Blaming problems on a lack of money and attention, City Controller Laura Chick called Tuesday for improvements in the Animal Services Department - particularly in its efforts to license dogs.

In a series of four reports, Chick showed numerous areas where the department could improve, including in collecting licensing fees and resolving complaints. But she said she was pleased with improvements made by Jerry Greenwalt, who has headed the department since last October.

``I think one of the problems we've had is a lack of consistent strong leadership and, until recently, we've had a lack of resources in the department,'' Chick said. ``I think we are starting to see some of the catch-up that has long been needed.''

Greenwalt said he agreed with most of Chick's recommendations, especially for better handling of complaints about barking dogs and other nuisances - some of which reportedly have taken two years to resolve.

Chick also was critical of the department for failing to be more aggressive in licensing dogs. She noted the number of licenses dropped from 158,114 in 2000 to 135,364 last year, although revenues remained at $2.25 million because of an increase in licensing fees.

``I'm not sure the department is the best place to try to be collecting licenses,'' Chick said. ``Perhaps we should look at moving all the city collection services into the Office of Finance so we have more consistency.''

But Greenwalt said the licensing program is an integral part of the department and its ability to track dogs and ensure they are vaccinated.

Officials said the fee increases are likely behind the reluctance of pet owners to license their dogs. For example, it now costs $100 to license a dog that has not been neutered.

``There are a lot of animal owners who don't want their dogs altered and don't want to pay that amount,'' said Steve Afriat, a former member of the Animal Services Commission. ``The fees were adopted to encourage people to spay and neuter their pets, but a lot of people try to avoid that and the higher costs.''

The audits also found:

--The department does not conduct animal auctions as required by city codes.

--Data should be collected to determine if implanting microchips for tracking lost pets is effectively reducing populations at city shelters.

--The funds for spay/neuter programs are ineffectively managed and not enough is done to encourage use of the free spay/neuter services offered by the city.

--The department should monitor nonprofit rescue groups that are allowed to adopt pets at reduced rates to be sure the pets are not being placed in inhumane conditions.

Greenwalt said the department inspects all such facilities operating within Los Angeles and works with animal-rights activists to track other facilities.

Afriat said he supports many of Chick's findings, but said part of the animal problem in Los Angeles - where some 65,000 animals a year are put in shelters - is the lack of public education.

``Up until recently, the City Council and mayor have not been willing to provide the department with the funds to do education that would make spay and neutering programs more effective,'' Afriat said. ``One thing the city might look at is offering a one-year moratorium on license fees just to get owners into the system.''