HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 02 25 Consent 300 Police K9 Retirement and K9 DonationCOMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 300
REQUEST:
Informational
Consent
X
Public Hearings
Regular
February 25, 2019 KS KB
Regular Meeting City Manager Department
The Police Department requests the Commission to accept the donation of a new police K9
service dog and ballistic vest from Mr. Shaun Leiker. Additionally, the Police
Department requests the Commission's approval to retire K9 Vader from service and for
him to be sold to his current handler. We also request the Commission approve the City
Manager to execute any and all documents related to this item.
SYNOPSIS:
The Police Department has a need to replace our current police K9 service dog, Vader, due
to retirement. Vader has served our community admirably for over seven years and is
approaching eight years old. Fortunately, we have recently been contacted by Mr. Shaun
Leiker who wants to donate a new K9 dog to the city for police use. The animal has already
been trained in obedience and basic apprehension work which will reduce the time we will
need to get him into full service. Mr. Leiker also wishes to donate a ballistic vest for the
new animal to use during his service here. A comprehensive medical exam has been done
on the new dog and he has been cleared for duty. The approximate monetary value of the
animal and vest is $8,000.
Due to circumstances based on service time and his age, K9 Vader has reached retirement.
Allowing Vader to retire from service and spend his years in the home with the family he
has made is the ideal scenario for him and consistent with past/standard practice. We are
requesting the city approve the sale of the city asset to Vader's handler, Cpl. Shaun
Philbrook, for the sum of one dollar ($1.00).
CONSIDERATIONS:
Consent 300 PAGE 1 OF 2 - February 25, 2019
Time and circumstances have led us to retire K9 Vader. We are fortunate to have the ability
to accept the donation of a new trained police K9 dog to quickly assume patrol duties in the
city. In order to facilitate this process, we request the Commission accept the donation of
the animal and ballistic vest and approve the disposition of the current city asset by sale of
Vader for the sum of $1.00.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The value of the donation is approx. $8,000. There will not be any additional impacts to the
budget with this donation. We currently budget care and maintenance of police animals so
the expenses moving forward are neutral.
COMMUNICATION EFFORTS:
This Agenda Item has been electronically forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission,
City Manager, City Attorney/Staff, and is available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and
the City's Server. Additionally, portions of this Agenda Item are typed verbatim on the
respective Meeting Agenda which has also been electronically forwarded to the individuals
noted above, and which is also available on the City's Website, LaserFiche, and the City's
Server; has been sent to applicable City Staff, Media/Press Representatives who have
requested Agendas/Agenda Item information, Homeowner's Associations/Representatives
on file with the City, and all individuals who have requested such information. This
information has also been posted outside City Hall, posted inside City Hall with additional
copies available for the General Public, and posted at six (6) different locations around the
City. Furthermore, this information is also available to any individual requestors. City Staff
is always willing to discuss this Agenda Item or any Agenda Item with any interested
individuals.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Commission approve the acceptance of the donations of the new
police K9 and ballistic vest and the retirement of K9 Vader from service via sale of $1.00 tc
Cpl. Shaun Philbrook and authorize the City Attorney to prepare and the City Manager to
execute all documents required for this purpose.
ATTACHMENTS:
A- Letter from Mr. Leiker
Consent 300 PAGE 2 OF 2 - February 25, 2019
Shaun Leiker
368 Seminole Woods Blvd Attachment A
Geneva, FL 32732
January 23, 2019
NaMAN11391111l �_=
Winter Springs Police Department
300 N Moss '•.
Oil, 1111, 111111
■
My name is Shaun Leiker and I would like to donate my dog, Duke, to the Winter Springs
Police Department. Let me begin with some background on my family. My wife and I have
been together for almost 25 years and during this time we have always had multiple dogs.
We have 2 daughters, 15 and 13 who are both on competitive cheer teams. Currently we
have several large dogs on our property. All of the dogs are allowed to roam the house.
Duke has a very strong drive and must always be occupied. My wife and I are sad to give
him up but know that if he were to get a job in law-enforcement it would be a better life for
him as we are not at home as much as we used to be. I
I wanted a dog for home protection. I got Duke on a recommendation from our trainer, Ed
Reyes. I bought Duke as a puppy from a litter of an officer in Kissimmee Florida for $1200 i
August 2016. Duke's father is a ■ Malinois and his mother is a Black German
Shepherd, Since August 2016 1 have been to training at Ed Reyes K9 at least once a week.
For the first six months that I had him I would take him to work at my office in Oviedo eve
day. This allowed me to spend time training him and have him used to being around
multiple people and unusual places. Duke has also been boarded at Ed Reyes K9 for trainin
I
for multiple months as well where I have spent in excess of $7000 in training and boarding
have also taken Duke out with Ed Reyes on Tuesday nights when he is working with variou
law-enforcement agencies in various training exercises. I
Unfortunately now that Duke has come into in his own as an adult dog he has established
himself as the alpha amongst the other dogs. Therefore we have had to keep him kenneled
in his own room as we did not want to have any issues. We do not feel that this is a fair
situation for him. This is when I started discussions with Ed Reyes about donating him to a
local PD that may be in need of trained dog so that he is still also close by where I could see
him on occasion. On Tuesday nights we have been out training and had him on display with
Chief Kevin Brunelle
Winter Springs Police Department
January 23, 2019
Page 2
Winter Springs that has been able to see some of the training put into Duke.
I am hopeful that the Winter Springs PD is able to take Duke, as a donation from me and my
family. I will also sponsor a protective vest through Vested Interest In K9s (www.vik9s.or
for Duke if WSPD is able to take Duke and once he is certified. Also, if at the end of his
career when he is ready to retire and Officer Philbrook wants to continue on with K9 my
wife and I would take Duke back into our home if a home was needed.
Sincerely,
Shaun Leiker
eir Notary Public State Of Florida
my commission GG 188475
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