Title/Name/Summary
Replacement Police K-9 in FY 2018 Utilizing Funds from the State Asset Forfeiture Account - Purchase
History
Our current K9, Hary, has served the Village honorably for the past 6 ½ years, however, health problems common to this breed will force Hary to retire before the end of the second quarter of 2018.
The police department requests to replace Hary with another dual-purpose pre-trained narcotics and tracking dog. The department’s current K9 Unit has been a huge asset in drug detection and community related activities. However, the department is seeking a different breed of dog, specifically a Hanoverian or commonly known as the Hanover Hound, which can perform both narcotics detection work and is genetically designed for enhanced tracking/trailing capabilities for the reasons described below:
In the last five years, the department had sought the services of a bloodhound forty-one (41) times for article or person tracking/trailing because of the superior tracking abilities of the hound in all types of elements and environments including water. The requests were made to locate four critical missing adults, twenty-six juveniles and eleven fugitives. Unfortunately, because of the limited availability of a specialized tracking police working hound, only twenty-one tracks/trailing were conducted.
A Hanover Hound provides a high level of tracking/trailing ability coupled with the demeanor to for training in narcotics detection. The breed is described as gentle, excellent with children, and therefore not suitable for “bite work” training thus reducing potential liability.
Approximately sixty (60) law enforcement agencies throughout the country have now chosen the Hanover Hound as their police working dog for its exceptional detection and tracking/trailing abilities.
After thorough research on Hanover Hound police training, Georgia K9 NTC was the only certified trainer found. Georgia K9 NTC, a nationally and professionally certified police dog trainer (DEA License # RG0406062, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives: 9-68-005-01-1C-01065), provided the sole source quote for a Hanover Hound of $17,000.00 including the three weeks of continuous training. Although costing approximately $3,500.00 more than a “standard” police trained German Shepard, the length of training required for the handler with a German Shepard is six weeks vs three for the Hanover Hound, a substantial cost savings in man-hours and down time. Additionally, the availability and the benefit of a superior tracking/trailing dog far outweigh the cost.
On August 21, 2017, this item was reviewed and approved by the Public Safety Committee and referred to the Village Board for approval.
Financial Impact
If approved, this will be the department’s fifth K9 and be the first law enforcement agency in Illinois to have a Hanover Hound. The cost of the dog, equipment and the training will be paid for from the State Asset Forfeiture Account 027-2800-460180.
Georgia K9 NTC requires a 50% down payment upon ordering the hound and the remainder paid upon the acceptance of the dog and the completion of the training.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the purchase of a replacement dual purpose pre-trained narcotics and tracking dog along with associated equipment and three weeks of training for the selected officer from Georgia K9 NTC, 8261 Manse Rd. Edisto Island, South Carolina at a cost not to exceed $18,001.00.