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1. How can my family and I avoid being bitten?

Be cautious around strange dogs and treat your own pet with respect. Because children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, parents and caregivers should:

• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
• Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
• Start teaching young children - including toddlers - to be careful around pets. Children must be taught not to approach strange dogs. Children should be taught to ask permission from a dog’s owner before petting the dog.

Other tips that may prevent or stop a dog attack:

• Don’t run past a dog. Dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. Don’t give them a reason to become excited or aggressive.
• Never disturb a dog that’s caring for puppies, sleeping or eating.
• If a dog approaches to sniff you - stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you’re not a threat.
• If a dog threatens you, remain calm. Don’t scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don’t turn and run.
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

2. What should I do if my dog bites someone?

Even if the bite can be explained (perhaps someone stepped on the dog’s tail), it’s important to take responsibility for your dog’s actions by taking these steps:

• Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the scene of the attack. Confine it.
• Check on the victim’s condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate the risk of rabies or other infections. Call 911 if paramedic response is required.
• Provide the following information to Animal Control as soon as possible: your name and address, and information about your dog’s most recent rabies vaccination. State health laws require you to report a bite whether or not your dog is current on it’s rabies vaccination. The dog will be quarantined for 10 days and it’s health monitored. Quarantine often can be at your residence.
• Consult your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar problems in the future.

If you are the bite victim - treat wounds:

• If your own dog bit you, confine it immediately and call Animal Control at 541-440-4328.
• If someone else’s dog bit you, contact authorities and tell them everything you can about the dog: the owner’s name, if you know it; color of the dog; size; where you saw it; if you’ve seen it before. These details may help Animal Control Officers locate the dog.

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1. Who should opt in?

All cellular and VoIP phone subscribers within Douglas County who wish to receive emergency notifications. Subscribers’ cellular and VoIP information will be kept in a separate database, so that if subscribers are already in the 911 landline database their information will not be changed.

2. Will my information be sold or distributed?

No. All of the information you enter will feed directly into the emergency notification secure database. This information can only be accessed by system administrators and the data will never be sold or distributed to third parties.

3. When will I receive phone calls?

You will receive phone calls when the emergency notification system is activated and your address is within the geographic area chosen to receive the notification message. The emergency notification system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

4. What do I do if I move?

If you move after you have entered your information into the website you will need to go back into the website and re-enter your information with your new address.

5. Can I enter my telephone number more than once at different addresses?

Yes. You may enter your phone number at different addresses. This will be convenient for people who live in one area but might have a business or vacation home in another area of the county.

6. Do I have to enter an actual address?

Yes. If you enter an address that does not exist you will not be in the database and will not be contacted when the emergency notification system is activated.

7. Will I be solicited in any way at the phone number that I enter?

No. You will only receive phone calls when the emergency notification system is activated and your address is within the geographic notification area chosen. The emergency notification system will only be activated for emergency purposes.

8. I am in a location that is different than the address that I enter into the website for my cellular phone, will I still be contacted if an emergency affects the address entered?

Yes. No matter where you are physically located, you will only receive calls for emergencies that affect the address entered into the website. So if you are on vacation in a different state you will still receive a phone call if the address you entered is affected by an emergency.

9. Does it cost me anything to opt-in for Emergency Notification messages?

This service is provided to you free of charge by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. However, please be aware that text message charges may apply depending on your mobile service agreement and service carrier. Contact your mobile service provider for details.

10. Why do you want my email address?

We would like to collect your email address for an alternative method of contacting your. For example, we will occasionally ask you to update your opt-in information to ensure it remains up-to-date. We will do this through the email address your provide.

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1. Why do they ask so many questions when I call the police?

Dispatchers are trained to get as much information as possible to best determine the nature of the problem and its seriousness. On emergency calls, the dispatcher has already sent the information to the appropriate emergency response agency while asking the addition questions.

2. Why did it take so long for the police to arrive when I called them?

All requests for police service are assigned by priority, based on the seriousness of the incident and the potential for injury or damage to property. At times, calls of less urgent nature must be delayed so that we may respond immediately to emergencies.

3. How do I get a copy of a police report?

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Records Division is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Monday through Friday, and closed on holidays. If you cannot come to the Sheriff’s Office, your report can be mailed if you send a self addressed stamped envelope along with the case number and a money order with the proper fee amount to:
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Records Division
1036 SE Douglas Avenue
Roseburg, OR 97470

4. How can I find out if someone is in jail, when visiting hours are, or additional information about the jail?

You can visit the Corrections Division page. If your questions are not answered there you can call 541-440-4440.

5. Can I make a police report at any time of day or do I need an appointment?

The Sheriff’s Office will respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to requests for police assistance. To find out more, visit our report information page.

6. Can I make a police report over the phone or does a police officer have to come to my house?

Some reports may be made over the telephone. This will depend on the type of offense you are reporting.

7. Who can I call to get information pertaining to crime prevention/ Neighborhood watch programs?

Please visit our Crime Prevention page, or you may call the Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4450.

8. Should I report suspicious activity in my neighborhood?

The Sheriff’s Office depends on citizens calling to report crimes or suspicious activity. The dispatcher who takes your call will ask questions about the activity to determine its nature. You may be asked if an officer may contact you, but you may request not to be contacted.

9. How do I apply for a position with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Please visit our Employment Opportunities page. You may also email Angie Stoffal, the Sheriff’s Administrative Assistant or call at 541-957-4778.

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1. What do I do if my situation is an emergency?

Call 911 right away. Do not attempt to file your report online.

2. What do I do if my incident happened in another city?

Do not file an online report with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). It will not be accepted. Contact the police agency for the jurisdiction in which the incident occurred.

3. What if I think I know who did this?

Complete the online report. The report will be reviewed by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office personnel and, if further investigation is deemed necessary, you will be contacted.

4. If I have not completed the report correctly, or there is more information needed, how will I be contacted?

You will most likely receive an email, but you may receive a phone call or letter.

5. Will my case be investigated?

Maybe. The online report will be reviewed by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office personnel and it will be determined if further investigation will be conducted.

6. What if I want to talk to a deputy about my case instead?

You can contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541 440-4471.

7. What if I want to add information to the incident that I have already reported?

Email your information, be sure to include your CSP reference number or case number in the subject line.

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1. Why should I spay or neuter my pet?

Dogs and cats can be very prolific. A single female cat and her offspring can produce thousands of cats in just a few years. Millions of unwanted animals must be destroyed every year.

Stray animals damage property, spread disease and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars every year.

2. What is spay and neuter?

Spay

A spay is an ovariohysterectomy - both ovaries and the uterus are removed through a surgical incision in the abdomen. After spaying, a female animal will never go into heat and cannot have babies.

Neuter

Neutering is a surgical procedure in which both testicles of a male animal are removed. This surgery is much easier than a spay and makes the animal un-able to reproduce.

3. When should a dog or cat be spayed or neutered?

Surgery can be done when the animal is 5 to 6 months old. Female should be spayed before they go into heat.

4. Will spaying or neutering change my pet's personality?

Your pet’s basic personality will not be changed. Usually, spayed/neutered pets become more people oriented. Male animals will be less likely to fight.

5. Is the operation painful?

Operations are performed under local or general anesthesia. After surgery your pet may be depressed for a few days from the effects of the anesthesia. Stitches may be removed in about 10 days.

6. Will the surgery make my pet fat?

Removing the ovaries and the testicles does affect metabolism. Many animals do tend to gain weight, so a diet must be closely regulated. As with humans, regular exercise and reasonable food intake will help maintain a healthy weight.

7. How much does a spay or neuter cost?

The exact amount of the procedure depends on the sex and weight of your pet. Check with your veterinarian for the costs for you pet.