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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />APRIL 3, 2018 <br />TITLE: <br />ORDINANCE AMENDING SANTA ANA <br />MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10-152 <br />RELATED TO POLICE CANINES TO <br />EXPAND THE DEFINITION TO <br />"POLICE ANIMALS" <br />(STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL 1, 5). <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1"Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Approve first reading of an ordinance amending Article I of Chapter 10, Section 152 of the Santa <br />Ana Municipal Code regarding Crimes and Miscellaneous Law Enforcement Provisions, <br />amending the protections for Police Canines to include all Police Animals, including horses. <br />On April 5, 1982 City Council approved Ordinance No. NS -1625 adding Section 10-152 to <br />Chapter 10 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. The original version was developed for the <br />purpose of regulating willful or malicious acts against police canines in the performance of any <br />duty with the Santa Ana Police Department ("SAPD"). <br />Currently the City's Police Department utilizes six (6) police K -9's and (1) bloodhound. Each day <br />there are (2) K-9 units deployed citywide to assist SAPD and other agencies. In addition to police <br />canines who serve the City, the SAPD will celebrate the 30'" year anniversary of the Mounted <br />Unit in 2018. The Mounted Unit is comprised of a herd of 8 to 10 horses with access to another <br />30 horses from the Orange County Regional team to assist with special events, protests, and <br />crowd control. <br />The Mounted Unit patrols Santa Ana parks, shopping areas, and the Downtown District. The <br />horses are ambassadors to both Santa Ana residents and visitors. Specifically, the unit provides <br />active enforcement assisting with quality of life issues, preventing physical altercations and <br />criminal activity, and dealing with large crowds, which is their strongest asset. The horses are <br />able to go where police vehicles cannot drive and the majestic demeanor allows crowds to be <br />dispersed quickly. <br />50A-1 <br />