(a) As used in this section, POLICE CANINE shall mean any domestic dog that has been purchased by the city, has been trained by or for the city's use, and may be used to assist the Police Department in the performance of its official duties.
(b) If a police canine becomes unfit for duty due to age, disability or injury, or if the Police Department disbands an active canine unit, the police canine handler of the animal shall have the first opportunity to purchase the police canine from the city for $1.00.
(c) If A police canine handler chooses not to purchase a police canine pursuant to division (b) of this section, the disposition of the dog shall be as determined by the Chief of Police and the Director of Finance.
(d) Any handler who purchases a police canine under the provisions of this section shall assume all responsibility and liability for the dog thereafter, including all care, medical expenses, insurance and any other costs associated with the purchase of the police canine from the city and the ownership of the police canine from the date of purchase.
(e) Any police officer who leaves an active canine unit while the police canine assigned to the unit is still fit for duty forfeits the right to purchase the dog under this section.
(Ord. 2019-136, passed 7-15-2019)