Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 3.4. 5/23/2023 File #: 23-0310
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Dan Adams, Chief of Police
1. SUBJECT
Agreement with Officer Damon Allen for the transfer of ownership of police service dog, Danto, assigned to the Police Department’s Canine Team.
2. SUMMARY
Canine Officer Damon Allen has been assigned to the Police Department’sCanine Team for the past five years with canine Danto as his partner. Canine Danto is being retired due to the reassignment of Officer Damon Allen to a Motor Officer. Canine Danto’s last day of service was on May 6, 2023.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the agreement to transfer ownership of canine Danto from the City of Orange to Officer Damon Allen; and authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 1: Provide for a safe community
a: Provide staffing and resources to deliver services that ensure public safety.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Canine Danto has served the Orange Police Department Canine Team for the last five years with Officer Damon Allen as his handler. Due to the reassignment of Officer Damon Allen to the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department, retraining canine Danto with a new handler would be problematic and costly. In addition, canine Danto has been trained to aid in the apprehension of criminal suspects and could be dangerous to others if not placed in the care of a trainer. For the safety of Danto and the public, it is preferable that Danto remains in the hands of the person and family that have been providing his care and training.
The Department recommends the transfer of ownership of Danto from the City of Orange to Officer Damon Allen. The transfer of ownership agreement with Officer Damon Allen requires him to indemnify and defend the city for any injuries or property damage arising out of the conduct of Danto.
Should Officer Allen not be able to provide reasonable care for Danto, he agrees to have Danto humanely euthanized. It is the Department’srecommendation that this arrangement with Officer Allen will benefit the City by reducing the City’sliability exposure and release the City of the responsibility City of Orange Printed on 5/18/2023Page 1 of 2
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Item #: 3.4. 5/23/2023 File #: 23-0310
will benefit the City by reducing the City’sliability exposure and release the City of the responsibility for the care and feeding of Danto.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Agreement with Damon Allen
City of Orange Printed on 5/18/2023Page 2 of 2
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