To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Transfer of K-9 Service Dog Scout
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to execute a contract with Sheriff's Deputy Cody Castelluccio to pay the County $1.00 for retired Sheriff’s Service Dog "Scout" on April 16, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
On December 18, 2007, the Board of Supervisors approved Board Resolution No. 2007/172, which authorized the transfer of ownership of retired police canine (K-9) service dogs to their respective handlers for minimal ($1.00) consideration. Police dogs typically reach the end of their useful service lives around the age of 8 years. Although the approximate costs of purchasing a police dog ($11,000) and training it ($8,000) are substantial, the service received from these dogs is well worth the expenditure. However, upon their retirement from service, the dogs cease being a financial “asset” and instead become a continuous expense. By transferring ownership of the dog to its handler, all ongoing expenses are absorbed by the handler in exchange for his/her dog’s companionship in the sunset years of the dog’s life.
On rare occasions, the K-9 handler is unable to accept ownership of his/her retired service dog. In these situations, the Sheriff’s Office seeks authorization to transfer ownership of retired K-9’s to private citizens whom the Office of the Sheriff has determined to be suitable to accept the dog. In exchange for a minimal ($1.00) consideration for the transfer of ownership, the new owner will assume all costs - food, shelter, veterinary, licensing, and liability - for the dog
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: