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Meeting Date:	02/10/2020
Acceptance of K9 Gala by Webb Co. Sheriff's Office and provision of insurance coverage
Submitted for:	Martin Cuellar	Submitted By:	Anita Guerra
Department:	Sheriff

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve acceptance of a chocolate German short-haired pointer canine (K-9) named Gala (Birthday 03-11-2017; Tattoo No. B114; Microchip Number: 688038000111982) from the U.S. Department of the Army for explosives detection purposes; with authorization to provide insurance coverage as a law enforcement service animal; and any other matters incident thereto. This canine (K9) is a donation at no cost to the Webb County Sheriff's Office; and, thus, there is no financial impact to the general operating budget.

Issue: Like other local law enforcement agencies, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office utilizes limited financial, operational, and manpower resources to grapple with, deter, mitigate, and/or resolve various serious criminal justice matters that stem from a confluence of deeply rooted, difficult, and often highly complex societal problems.

Solution: Leveraging of other federal, state, and local resources available to local law enforcement agencies allows the Webb County Sheriff's Office to be able to provide better and more enhanced law enforcement services with a positive financial impact to local taxpayers, who also pay state and federal taxes but do not always receive the same federal/state benefits/services as other communities. Acceptance of the donation of a Canine (K9) from the U.S. Department of the Army to acquire the K9’s services will leverage federal resources to assist Webb County Sheriff’s Office deputies with crime-fighting services in the Laredo/Webb County area to better serve local citizens.

Result: Requested K9 will assist the Webb County Sheriff’s Office to fight crime.

Background:

Historically, the submission of this type of agenda item is required by Webb County Risk Management Department in order for the K9 to be covered for insurance purposes. K9s serve as highly skilled, invaluable assets that can assist local law enforcement agencies with needed law enforcement services, especially in the South Texas region. This chocolate female German short-haired pointer canine (K-9) Gala was donated to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office by the U.S. Department of the Army.

Previous Court Action:

The acceptance of a donation of a difference canines to the Offices of the Constables and the Webb County Sheriff’s office have regularly been approved by the Webb County Commissioners’ Court.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	N/A
Funding Source:	N/A
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
Canine (K9) related expenses are limited in scope. This canine is a donation, and, thus, has been acquired at no cost to Webb County.