IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE waiving the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of ownership of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit dog, Racker, to dog handler and companion Deputy Brad Norton.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5878, September 9, 2024
INTRODUCED BY Venessa Huskey, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, requires a reimbursement to the County of its acquisition cost when a Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit dog is retired or relieved from duty due to age or injury, to allow for the dog’s handler to take ownership of the dog; and,
WHEREAS, K-9 unit member Racker was acquired by the Sheriff’s Office in August 2017 at a cost of approximately $12,500.00; and,
WHEREAS, a K-9 unit dog typically has a “working career” that lasts until eight to nine years of age and Racker is eight years old; and,
WHEREAS, Racker is at the end of his duty life and it would not be cost effective to assign the dog to another handler for familiarization and retraining; and,
WHEREAS, Racker was diagnosed with a type of intervertebral disc disease in April 2024; and,
WHEREAS, according to Von Henger Kennels, LLC, Racker has no resale or market value given the canine’s age and sustained injuries; and,
WHEREAS, the Sheriff recommends the waiver of the reimbursement requirement of section 1139. to allow Deputy Norton to care for a valued canine member after retirement; and,
WHEREAS, retiring Racker is in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Jackson County now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of ownership of Racker, to dog handler and companion Deputy Brad Norton, be and hereby is waived.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached ordinance, Ordinance No. 5878 introduced on September 9, 2024, was duly passed on September 16, 2024 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______9_________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ____0_______ Absent _____0_______
The Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
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Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 5878.
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Date Frank White Jr., County Executive