What:
A Community Meeting to Announce the Task Force, LEASH

When:
Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at 7:00 a.m.

Where:
LAPD Southeast Community Area Police Station, 145 West 108^th Street

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulations estimates that there are several thousand dogs running loose within the streets of Los Angeles. These animals live dangerous, unhealthy lives that nearly all end in tragedy. In response to this community concern, the Los Angeles Police Department, Southeast Area Vice Unit, will be hosting the LEASH (Law Enforcement Animal Regulation Saving Hounds) Task Force.

Addressing the issues of abandoned, injured, sick and violent dogs in the Southeast Division Community Area, the LEASH Task Force is comprised of LAPD Southeast Vice and patrol officers, South Traffic Division Officers, and employees of the Department of Animal Regulation. The task force will be capturing stray dogs all throughout the Southeast Area.

This quality of life issue is an important topic to the Los Angeles Police Department and to the community we serve. Taking a proactive step in an effort to prevent violent canine attacks similar to the tragic event that occurred recently in San Francisco, the task force will focus on the communities responsibilities to defining the relationship of "man’s best friend."

For more information, contact Sergeant Dan Gardner or Sergeant Sue Leskera at LAPD Southeast Area Vice Unit, 213-485-6500.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.