Full Notification

The suspect in this case is Jean Frances Snyder, age 57, a resident of unincorporated Santa Barbara. Following a criminal investigation into this matter by the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Animal Control Unit, the case has been forwarded to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Barbara City Attorney’s Office for review. SBPD Animal Control has requested that the following charges be filed against Snyder.

• 398 PC, animal bite, owner to provide information within 48 hours, an infraction
• 121705 H&S, concealing information about an animal to prevent quarantine, a misdemeanor
• 6.04.040 SBMC, interference with Animal Control duties, a misdemeanor
• 6.16.050 SBMC, failure to report animal bite to SBPD, a misdemeanor
• 6.16.055 SBMC, failure to isolate or surrender biting animal, a misdemeanor

Updated message on July 17, 2012:
Thanks again to our Nixle audience, the community, and partners in the media, this woman has been identified. The Santa Barbara Police Department’s Animal Control Unit is now continuing with a criminal investigation into the matter.

California Penal Code Section 398(a) states:
“If a person owning or having custody or control of an animal knows, or has reason to know, that the animal bit another person, he or she shall, as soon as is practicable, but no later than 48 hours thereafter, provide the other person with his or her name, address, telephone number, and the name and license tag number of the animal who bit the other person. If the person with custody or control of the animal at the time the bite occurs is a minor, he or she shall instead provide identification or contact information of an adult owner or responsible party. If the animal is required by law to be vaccinated against rabies, the person owning or having custody or control of the animal shall, within 48 hours of the bite, provide the other person with information regarding the status of the animal's vaccinations. Violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100).”

Original message on July 16, 2012:
The woman in the attached photos is believed to be the owner of a dog that bit a five-year old girl on the face at approximately 8:00 p.m. on July 5, 2012 at 909 State Street. The dog is believed to be a red chow mix. The Santa Barbara Police Department’s Animal Control Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying this woman. If you recognize this woman please contact SBPD Animal Control Officer II Anthony Nunez at (805) 963-1513 / [email protected] or call anonymously to (805) 897-2386.