Phoenix Police and city officials told a City Council subcommittee last week that recent changes in city ordinances, state law and reporting systems have strengthened the city’s ability to respond to animal cruelty cases — even as enforcement remains constrained by limited staffing.
The update was presented Jan. 7 to the Phoenix City Council Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee and followed a written memo outlining how animal cruelty enforcement has evolved since 2023.
Police Lt. Karen Hudson said staffing fluctuated in recent years in the department’s Animal Crimes Detail, which is housed within the Property Crimes Bureau. According to the city’s report, the unit currently consists of one sergeant and one police civilian investigator.
“Back in 2022, we had one assigned animal crimes detective and a sergeant,” Hudson said. “We had to redistribute resources to patrol, and we lost that detective. For a time, animal crimes cases were spread across all property crimes detectives.”
Reassignments of detectives have occurred because of personnel shortages that have left the department with nearly 600 unfilled funded positions, mostly in patrol.
The department now has one full-time sergeant overseeing animal crimes, though Hudson said he splits time between animal cases and other property crimes.
Phoenix does not have a fully dedicated animal crimes unit, a model currently used only by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, which has multiple detectives assigned exclusively to such cases.
Most Valley cities, Hudson said, handle animal cruelty cases through general investigations units.
City officials said revisions to Phoenix’s animal ordinance in 2023 have made enforcement more straightforward and measurable.
Those changes clarified definitions of “animal” and “livestock,” strengthened the definition of “adequate shelter,” and updated rules regarding dog tethering by removing language that allowed animals to be restrained by chains.
“The updated definition of adequate shelter really helped officers,” Hudson said. “Rather than just saying ‘shelter,’ it now spells out what that means — structurally sound, proper ventilation, protection from extreme heat, enough space for the animal to move naturally.”
As a result, citations and bookings increased slightly.
According to department data, tethering citations rose from five in 2021–22 to 11 in the two years following the ordinance update. Also, animal cruelty bookings increased from 27 in 2022 to 34 in 2024.
Hudson attributed the rise not only to clearer laws, but also to improved reporting and training.
A key change highlighted in both the memo and the hearing was the expansion of PHX At Your Service 311, launched in September 2023, which allows residents to report concerns about tethering, neglect or inadequate shelter through an online form.
Residents no longer need to call police directly.
“They can submit it online,” Hudson said. “If it’s a first-time violation, the goal is education before enforcement.”
Complaints submitted through 311 are routed to one of four entities: Phoenix police, the Arizona Humane Society, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, or the city’s Neighborhood Services Department.
In many cases, Neighborhood Services sends an educational letter outlining the violation and how to correct it.
Since the system launched, the city has logged 249 animal-related complaints:
119 related to neglect;
69 to improper shelter;
20 to tethering.
“This resulted in more people being educated prior to enforcement,” Hudson said.
Hudson said confusion between the Arizona Humane Society and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control remains common even among officers.
“The Humane Society conducts cruelty investigations and handles seizure and care of animals,” she explained. “Maricopa County Animal Care and Control handles loose dogs, animal bites and licensing.”
When police determine an animal must be seized, the Humane Society responds and provides care until the animal can be returned, surrendered or placed for adoption.
Councilman Jim Waring asked whether individuals ever voluntarily seek help before a situation escalates.
“Yes, it does happen,” Hudson said. “People call us. Neighbors call. We do welfare checks alongside the Humane Society, and many times it’s education — or offering help, resources, or even free veterinary care.”
Another significant update discussed was Senate Bill 1658, passed in 2025, which changed state law governing animal cruelty.
Previously, officers were required to prove “protracted suffering” before intervening – meaning animals often had to endure prolonged harm.
“That threshold required us to essentially watch animals suffer over time,” Hudson said.
The new law allows intervention when an animal is experiencing “unreasonable suffering,” a standard Hudson said gives officers greater discretion and speeds intervention.
The change was prompted by a widely publicized case in Chandler involving 55 mistreated dogs, commonly referred to as the “Chandler 55.”
“That situation showed us the limits of the old law,” Hudson said. “This makes our job a lot easier — and much more humane.”
Phoenix city code does not include the exemptions allowed under state law, Hudson added, meaning officers can still enforce city ordinances even in cases involving working animals or individuals experiencing homelessness if the animal’s safety is at risk.
Hudson emphasized that training is a major focus for the department’s small animal crimes team.
The unit provides: department-wide training videos, briefings for patrol squads, post-academy instruction for new officers, and specialized training for animal liaison officers assigned to every precinct and shift.
Also, a new department-wide training video with testing components is scheduled for release in May 2026.
The department also meets monthly with the Arizona Humane Society and quarterly with city and county prosecutors to ensure cases are handled consistently.
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien asked whether the city tracks how 311 cases ultimately resolve — whether through education, citation or prosecution.
Hudson said those outcomes are reviewed internally but not yet fully compiled into a single dataset.
Councilman Kevin Robinson said tracking those results will be important moving forward.
“As we make modifications and changes, it’s important to know how cases ultimately end up,” Robinson said.
Robinson also praised the unit’s work.
“It’s clear you’re doing a great deal of work with a very small team and work that comes to the attention of a large segment of our community,” he said. “Keep up the good work.”