HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4-a - Resolution Retiring Canine Lacey and Transferring Her to Former K9 Handler
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 13, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Resolution Retiring Canine Lacey and Transferring Her to Former K9 Handler
DEPARTMENT: Sheriff’s Office
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sheriff Charles S. Blackwood,
919.245.2900
Jennifer Galassi, Legal Advisor,
919.245.2952
PURPOSE: To approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution retiring canine Lacey and
transferring her to former K9 Handler Malcolm Hester.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office acquired canine Lacey in February 2015.
Lacey was assigned to former Sheriff’s Office Deputy Malcolm Hester who trained her. Lacey
served for over three years as Hester’s canine partner, conducting searches, rescues, and
tracking lost individuals and suspects. Due to the age of the canine and inconsistent reliability,
the Sheriff’s Office will retire Lacey from service and intends to transfer her to her former K9
handler, Malcolm Hester. North Carolina General Statutes §§ 153A-176, 160A-265, and 160A-
266 authorize the County to dispose of any personal property belonging to it according to the
procedures described in Chapter 160A, Article 12.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this canine retirement and
subsequent transfer.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign a resolution retiring canine Lacey and transferring her to former K9 Handler
Malcolm Hester.
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RES-2018-070
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION RETIRING CANINE LACEY
AND TRANSFERRING HER TO FORMER K9 HANDLER CPL MALCOLM HESTER
WHEREAS, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office shall retire police canine Lacey, a bloodhound
previously used for conducting searches, rescues, and tracking, effective November 13, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Lacey is personal property of the County and is no longer of use or value to Orange
County and the Sheriff’s Office from this date forth; and
WHEREAS, Malcolm Hester, previously with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, bonded with and
worked with the canine from the time of her acquisition as a puppy in February 2015; and
WHEREAS, Malcolm Hester is willing and able to provide immediate care for Lacey; and
WHEREAS, Malcolm Hester will adopt and take full responsibility for Lacey until such time as the
canine is no longer living, relieving Orange County and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office of all
obligations and responsibilities of the canine in accordance with the provisions of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, Malcolm Hester is not being coerced, forced, or inappropriately encouraged by Orange
County or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to adopt this canine; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statutes §§ 153A-176, 160A-265, 160A-266 authorize the
County to dispose of any personal property belonging to it according to the procedures described in
Chapter 160A, Article 12.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
1. Malcolm Hester shall assume full care and responsibility of the canine, including but not limited
to:
a. Providing adequate food, water, and shelter to the canine for the duration of its life;
b. Providing the canine with adequate health care, including but not limited to
vaccinations, medication, and all other medical necessities as needed or as required by
Orange County’s animal control requirements; and
2. Malcolm Hester shall assume all liability that may result from the canine’s actions, including but
not limited to those actions and behaviors learned as a result of the canine’s special training
provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office; and
3. Malcolm Hester shall not purposefully, negligently, or knowingly use the canine’s special skill
set developed as a result of its career as a police canine either for profit, personal gain, or in any
capacity, whether this capacity would put others in danger or not; and
4. Malcolm Hester shall release Orange County and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office from
liability from any sickness or health deficiencies that resulted from the canine’s work with the
Orange County Sheriff’s Office; and
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5. Malcolm Hester shall not loan, lend, give away, or rid himself of the canine in any manner
which would result in the canine being in the care of another person, business, or entity; and
6. Malcolm Hester shall be solely responsible for the actions of the canine while either in his
personal care or otherwise; and
7. Any personal property equipment assigned specifically to Lacey (collar, leashes) and any shelter
previously constructed on Malcolm Hester’s property becomes the property of Malcolm Hester.
This does not include specialized police equipment (protective equipment, special police issued
equipment).
Adopted this the 13th day of November, 2018.
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST: (SEAL)
______________________________ By: _____________________________
Donna Baker, County Clerk Mark Dorosin, Chair
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