Community Service Officers
Community Service Officers provide support and assist sworn and non-sworn staff in a variety of non-emergency situations to enhance the community livability of the City of Corvallis including animal control, minor investigations, and providing community education. Their duties include:
- Assisting with processing crime scenes
- Directing traffic
- Participating in public events
- Handling non-emergency lower priority calls
- Collecting and processing found property
- Responding to reports of traffic hazards
- Addressing some City Ordinance violations
Another significant contribution our CSOs have to our community is their responsibility for addressing animal control issues. This helps protect people from problem animals and protects animals from harm including enforcing the City Municipal Code and Oregon State laws which prescribe the legal responsibilities for owning an animal, including basic care, requirements of nutrition, housing, sanitation, restraint, licensing, protection from abuse, and veterinary care. Protecting the public from harm also includes preventing or abating animal noise and bites, stray dogs, and aggressive or dangerous animals. These specific duties include:
- School and club animal care and safety presentations
- Cruelty investigations
- Animal noise investigations
- Animal bite investigations
- Sick and injured animal rescue
- Dangerous animal control
- Livestock problem intervention
- Impounding dogs at large
DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING
The Corvallis Police Department recommends that dog owners participate in dog obedience training. To locate a dog trainer, consult local directories under "Dog training," call a humane society, or consult with your veterinarian.
CATS
Cats are considered personal property. Cats are permitted to roam at large, but they are required to wear a collar, tag, or other device identifying the cat's owner. An owner of a cat which damages the property of others, including gardens, may be found liable for damages resulting from the animal's behavior. "Dangerous" cats can also be impounded or destroyed when at large.
IMPOUNDED ANIMALS
Impounded animals are taken to the Heartland Humane Society Shelter, 398 SW Twin Oaks Circle, 541-757-9000. Please call for shelter hours.
IF YOUR PET IS MISSING
1. Call the Heartland Humane Society at 541-757-9000.
2. Consider social media engagement.
2. Consider social media engagement.
3. You can also notify our CSOs by calling 541-766-6924.
IF YOU FIND A PET
Any person who finds a lost/stray animal must notify a Community Service Officer or the Heartland Humane Society within 48 hours. The finders may surrender the animal to a Community Service Officer or the Heartland Humane Society or retain possession of it, subject to surrender upon demand of a Community Service Officer. Ownership of an animal other than livestock and wildlife can be established through compliance with provisions of ORS 98.005.
CONTACT
If you need assistance from our CSOs or would like to request a presentation, please email them at CSO@corvallisoregon.gov or call 541-766-6924.
