"It can be however long it takes," he said. "Of course, we'd prefer (the report) sooner than later."

Argyle said the city has no written policy that designates a step-by-step procedure on a call of animal cruelty.

"Animal control just goes there and assesses the situation," Argyle said. "If they see that cruelty to animals is occurring they would conduct that investigation."

Argyle said he didn't know why Lauridsen wasn't cited with animal cruelty.

"Usually if we do not cite or arrest someone, then there wasn't probable cause to believe that that crime had occurred," Argyle said.

Regarding the nightsticks, Provo has a use of force continuum that dictates which levels are appropriate in certain circumstances, he said.

A nightstick and a Taser are equal in force, Argyle said, and many officers carry both. However, the officers who responded were not equipped with Tasers.

Lauridsen said he has contacted the police department's internal affairs as well as city officials and is talking with attorneys.

"It is every man's right and duty to defend himself," Lauridsen said. "I feel very strongly about personal rights. That probably played into it. If I'd said, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' and allowed myself to be mistreated, it would not have escalated to the point it escalated to. But the fact is, if the same situation started right now, I wouldn't handle it any differently."

E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com