1 RIPON POLICE DEPARTMENT CANINE TRANSFER CONTRACT
This AGREEMENT made and entered into in the City of Ripon, State of California, on May 24, 2024, by and between the City of Ripon, a municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as “CITY”, and Officer MATTHEW BELASKI canine handler for the Ripon Police Department, hereinafter referred to as “HANDLER”.
Recitals:
A. Canine ‘‘Vitus’’ has been with the Ripon Police Department since December of 2019. ‘‘Vitus’’ has served the city for over four (4+ ) years. ‘‘Vitus’’ was born on July 27 of 2016 and is over seven (7) years old as of May 2024. ‘‘Vitus’’ has had a long and distinguished career as a police protection and narcotics dog. ‘‘Vitus’’ has reached an age where his health is beginning to decline and he is slowing down. His ability to continue to do police work at an acceptable level is coming to an end and it is HANDLER’s recommendation he be retired from service. If HANDLER was not resigning, the dog was estimated to have 9-16 months of service life left.
Unfortunately, the remaining service life of the dog would not make financial sense to the City to train with a new handler.
B. MATTHEW BELASKI wishes to assume ownership and take possession of that certain retired City of Ripon police canine named “Vitus”. MATTHEW BELASKI was previously the assigned canine handler for “Vitus”.
C. MATTHEW BELASKI wishes to maintain ownership of the above-referenced dog, and the CITY wishes to divest itself of both ownership and vicarious or direct liability for the subject dog.
D. CITY does hereby agree to relinquish all of its right, title and ownership interest in said dog whatsoever, effective upon MATTHEW BELASKI’s execution and return of this document and payment of the sum of one and no/100ths dollars ($1.00) to the City of Ripon.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of this AGREEMENT, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. MATTHEW BELASKI does agree to assume ownership of the former Ripon police canine named “Vitus”, along with any and all risks, including, but not limited to, risk of injury or death to third persons, and to hold the City of Ripon, its police department, and its employees and/or agents or volunteers harmless from any and all liability, claims, administrative proceedings or other responsibility whatsoever arising from any injuries or damages that may occur on or after the date ownership of the dog is transferred pursuant to this AGREEMENT. These hold harmless provisions shall extend to any direct or vicarious liability arising from any and all losses, liabilities, charges (including reasonable attorney fees and court costs), and any other expenses whatsoever which may 2 arise in any manner after the new owner’s assumption of ownership on the date identified herein.
2. MATTHEW BELASKI must retain ownership of “Vitus” for at least eighteen (18) months prior to any sale of the aforementioned retired police canine.
3. The retired police canine “Vitus” shall revert to the City of Ripon should the purchaser, MATTHEW BELASKI, determine he can no longer care for the aforementioned dog within the period of time commencing on the date of this AGREEMENT and ending eighteen (18) months from the date fixed by this AGREEMENT.
4. MATTHEW BELASKI acknowledges that he is required to keep the aforementioned dog within a secure kennel of appropriate size with a cover at all times when he is not at home to care for the dog. Furthermore, MATTHEW BELASKI acknowledges he has received training in caring for a retired canine.
5. MATTHEW BELASKI acknowledges that he has read the foregoing AGREEMENT and understands that it is contractual in nature and understands each of its provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CITY OF RIPON, a municipal corporation, has caused this Agreement to be executed in duplicate by its City Council and attested by its Clerk.
OWNER CITY OF RIPON
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Matthew Belaski Leo Zuber, Mayor
ATTEST
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Lisa Roos, City Clerk