ITEM 6-N
Council Meeting: November 23, 1999
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Donate a Police Horse to the Awareness Foundation
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council authorize the donation of a horse, which is unfit for duty, to the Inner-City Slickers, a program sponsored by the Awareness Foundation.
Background
In 1997 the Police Mounted Unit purchased a four-year-old registered Paint Horse, named Bandit, to use as a mounted patrol horse. The horse passed the initial stages of testing, which included a physical by a veterinarian. Approximately one year later the horse began to display signs of lameness in his right front hoof. The lameness has become chronic and through x-rays has been diagnosed as a spur on the navicular bone. This condition is considered hereditary or a birth defect, and is not reversible or correctable through surgery or medication.
In the past the Police Department has sold young horses and donated aging horses. Due to his condition, attempting to sell this horse would not be feasible. The estimated dollar value of the horse would place him in what is considered to be the slaughter market price range. Trainers, riding stables and private owners would not be interested in purchasing a lame horse, even at a low price.
Staff has contacted numerous nonprofit equestrian youth programs. Due to Bandit
=s age, youthful energy and physical condition, the Awareness Foundation=s program, the Inner-City Slickers, is the only group which could still benefit from a donation, as well as care for Bandit=s disability. The Inner-City Slickers are currently boarding the horse and would accept him as a donation.The Awareness Foundation is committed to
Ainspiring our young people to become responsible citizens, compassionate leaders and the dream builders of tomorrow.@ Their objective and purpose are to provide resources that ignite the imagination and passion of young men and women in our inner-cities. The Foundation is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. Their program, the Inner-City Slickers, is located in Aqua Dulce, California.Budget/Financial Impact
The purchase price for the horse was $3,500.00, which would not be recovered through a donation. The Inner City Slickers group would immediately assume full responsibility and liability for the horse. If the horse were offered for sale, the maximum return expected would be approximately $500.00. Maintaining and providing continued medical treatment for the horse during the sale process would exceed the estimated revenue within four months.
Recommendations
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the recommendation to donate the horse to the Awareness Foundation
=s program, the Inner-City Slickers.
Prepared by: James T. Butts, Jr., Chief of Police