BASIC ACO TRAINING COURSE

This course will cover the following required topics:

HISTORY OF ANIMAL CONTROL

A. Objectives of Animal Control

B. Training requirements

C. Professionalism and duties.

THE LAWS

A.  Texas Health and Safety Codes 821,822,823,826,829 and Section 481.111

B. Administrative Codes for 821, 822, 826, and 828

C. Texas Penal Code Sections 42.09, 42.092, 42.10, and 42.105

D. Chapter 826 – Rabies Control Act and Eradication

E. Ordinances

F. Other Laws pertaining to animal control.

ANIMAL HEALTH, DISEASES, AND FIRST AID

A. Diseases

1. Signs and Symptoms

2. Prevention

3. Emergency First Aid

B. Rabies

1. Signs and symptoms

2. Vaccinations requirements

3. Prevention

ANIMAL HANDLING, IDENTIFICATION, AND RESTRAINT

a. Safety equipment in the field, restraints

b. Field capture and restraint

c. Principles and procedures to be followed with respect to an instrument used specifically for deterring the bite of an animal of the following: catch poles, snappy snare, cage nets, squeeze nets, traps, leashes, muzzling applications, bite sticks, pepper spray, and transfer cages. (Including hands-on portion).

d. Loading, unloading and standard procedures of trucks or transportation of animal in a humane manner.

e. Sanitation of trucks, and or animal handling equipment.

f. Breed identifications and behavior to avoid potential bites of aggressive animals.

g. Wildlife identification and handling

SHELTER SANITATION, OPERATIONS, STANDARDS OF CARE

1.  Disease prevention by sanitation

a. Quarantine facility

b. Euthanasia techniques and requirements

c. Controlled substance and storage of drugs

d. Dangerous Drug Laws and laws pertaining to sodium pentobarbital.

e. Departmental Protocols, Policies, and laws on sheltering

f. Proper housing and shelter standards of care

g. Vaccination protocol

h. Spay/neuter/microchipping.

i. Animal adoptions and disposal

OFFICER SAFETY

a. Professionalism in the field

b. Personal Safety and Bite Prevention

c. Animal Safety

d. Education, Public Relations and Communication

e. Vehicle safety

f. Citations

g. Mental wellbeing

ANIMAL CRUELTY AND INVESTIGATIONS

a. Laws pertaining to animal cruelty

b. Evidence collection

c. Report writing, affidavit, and warrants

d. Court room presentation

e. Seizing animals in a cruelty case.

f. Recourses

DISASTER PREPARATION

a. Types of disasters and causes.

b. Emergency Sheltering