LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Public Safety Committee
ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-250
An Ordinance amending Chapter 2.44 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to former police department canines and horses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2.44 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 2.44.085:
2.44.085 Retired law enforcement animals.
A. It is the policy of the metropolitan government that former police department canine (K-9) unit dogs and former mounted patrol horses be adequately cared and provided for following their service to the metropolitan government.
B. The metropolitan police department shall be responsible for the veterinary care of former law enforcement animals up to an amount not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per animal per calendar year, provided that the animal remains in the possession and care of an active or retired metropolitan police officer and such veterinary care is provided by a licensed veterinarian. Veterinarian expenses incurred by the active or retired police officer shall be reimbursed in accordance with procedures established by the chief of police or his/her designee.
C. Former canine unit dogs shall be boarded at the police department’s canine facility at no cost to the active or retired police officer to whom the dog has been donated for no more than fourteen (14) days per calendar year, provided notice is given to the facility at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the dog being boarded and adequate space is available at the facility. The division commander over the canine facility may extend the fourteen (14) day time limitation if adequate space is available at the facility to accommodate the dog. The division commander also has the authority to deny a boarding request for any dog with a contagious disease or a dog that is deemed by the division commander to be disruptive to the other dogs at the facility.
D. The metropolitan police department shall be responsible for providing food for every former police dog or horse in the custody and control of an active or retired metropolitan police officer at such officer’s request. Such food shall be provided by the police department for the life of the animal.
E. All persons, organizations, or agencies accepting a donated animal from the police department shall sign a general release form prepared by the department of law releasing the metropolitan government from any liability for the future actions of the animal and indemnifying the metropolitan government from any and all actions, claims, and demands arising out of the control, possession, maintenance, and/or conduct of the animal.
Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Sponsored by: Tim Garrett, Karen Bennett, Doug Pardue, Sheri Weiner
Amendment No. 1
To
Ordinance No. BL2012-250
Madam President:
I move to amend Ordinance No. BL2012-250 by deleting Section 1 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following new Section 1:
“Section 1. That Chapter 2.44 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 2.44.085:
2.44.085 Retired law enforcement animals.
A. It is the policy of the metropolitan government that former police department canine (K-9) unit dogs and former mounted patrol horses be adequately cared and provided for following their service to the metropolitan government.
B. The metropolitan police department shall be responsible for the veterinary and shoeing expenses associated with the care of former law enforcement animals up to an amount not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per animal per calendar year, provided that the animal remains in the possession and care of an active or retired metropolitan police officer and such veterinary care is provided by a licensed veterinarian. Veterinarian and shoeing expenses incurred by the active or retired police officer shall be reimbursed in accordance with procedures established by the chief of police or his/her designee. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to all former police department animals under the ownership and care of an active or retired police officer, and to all animals donated to active or retired police officers in the future.
C. Former canine unit dogs shall be boarded at the police department’s canine facility at no cost to the active or retired police officer to whom the dog has been donated for no more than fourteen (14) days per calendar year, provided notice is given to the facility at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the dog being boarded and adequate space is available at the facility. The division commander over the canine facility may extend the fourteen (14) day time limitation if adequate space is available at the facility to accommodate the dog. The division commander also has the authority to deny a boarding request for any dog with a contagious disease or a dog that is deemed by the division commander to be disruptive to the other dogs at the facility.
D. The metropolitan police department shall be responsible for providing food for every former police dog or horse in the custody and control of an active or retired metropolitan police officer at such officer’s request. Such food shall be provided by the police department for the life of the animal.
E. The provisions of subsections A. through D. above shall apply to all former police department animals under the ownership and care of an active or retired police officer, and to all animals donated to active or retired police officers in the future.
F. All persons, organizations, or agencies accepting a donated animal from the police department shall sign a general release form prepared by the department of law releasing the metropolitan government from any liability for the future actions of the animal and indemnifying the metropolitan government from any and all actions, claims, and demands arising out of the control, possession, maintenance, and/or conduct of the animal.
G. Once the police department determines that an animal is no longer fit for active service with the department, the department shall first offer to donate the animal to the police officer assigned to the animal at the time such determination is made. If the police officer assigned to the animal declines to accept the donation of the animal, the police department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the person(s) that donated the animal to the metropolitan government and offer to return the animal to him/her. If neither the police officer assigned to the animal nor the person(s) that donated the animal to the metropolitan government accept the donation of the animal, the police department shall have the authority to donate the animal to another person, law enforcement agency, or organization the department deems appropriate.”
Sponsored by: Tim Garrett
| LEGISLATIVE HISTORY |
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|---|---|
| Introduced: | September 4, 2012 |
| Passed First Reading: | September 4, 2012 |
| Referred to: | Budget & Finance Committee Public Safety Committee |
| Amended: | September 18, 2012 |
| Deferred: | September 18, 2012 |
| Passed Second Reading: | October 2, 2012 |
| Passed Third Reading: | October 16, 2012 |
| Approved: | October 17, 2012 |
| By: | |