TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Canine Donation Agreement By and Between the City of North Port, Florida, and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the Donation of a One-Year-Old Yellow Labrador Retriever to Be Used for Explosive Detection and Search and Rescue Operations for the North Port Police Department.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Canine Donation Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the donation of a one-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever to be used for explosive detection and search and rescue operations for the North Port Police Department.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Canine Donation Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the donation of a one-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever to be used for explosive detection and search and rescue operations for the North Port Police Department.
• Pros: Acceptance of the donated canine would result in an estimated cost savings of $5,000 to $9,000 by eliminating the need to purchase a replacement dog. It would also allow the Department to promptly replace an inactive K-9, ensuring continuity of service.
• Cons: The North Port Police Department would assume ongoing costs for maintenance throughout the canine’s years of service.
Option 2: Deny the Canine Donation Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the donation of a one-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever to be used for explosive detection and search and rescue operations for the North Port Police Department.
• Pros: The North Port Police Department would not assume ongoing costs for maintenance throughout the canine’s years of service.
• Cons: Not having this resource readily available will increase the City’s reliance on external agencies during critical incidents and lengthen response times in emergencies when rapid deployment of specialized K-9 resources can be lifesaving.
Background Information
The donors have offered the North Port Police Department a one-year-old Labrador Retriever, valued at $5000.00, to be trained and certified in explosives detection to ensure the North Port Police Department maintains its explosive detection capabilities. These highly trained K-9’s provides a critical asset to public safety, offering rapid and accurate detection of explosives to protect officers and the community. Maintaining this capability is essential to providing a high level of public safety and preparedness to the community. The donated labrador will replace K-9 Rio, who is no longer an active police service dog within the agency.
In addition to explosives detection, the donated K-9 will be trained in tracking, further enhancing the North Port Police Department’s capability to locate missing or endangered individuals, navigate challenging or hazardous terrain, and respond swiftly to emergency situations. Acceptance of this donation will ensure uninterrupted specialized K-9 services, maintaining operational readiness, and the ability to provide a high level of public safety to the community.
The Canine Donation Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the donation of a one-year-old yellow labrador retriever to be used for explosive detection and search and rescue operations for the North Port Police Department has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Canine Donation Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida and Shawn and Michelle Galiher for the donation of a one-year-old yellow labrador retriever to be used for explosive detection and search and rescue operations for the North Port Police Department was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on March 19, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Safe Community
Financial Impact
Estimated costs for care and maintenance will be funded using existing Fiscal Year 2026 budgeted funds in accounts 001-2100-521.31-00 and 001-2100-521.52-00 as the labrador retriever will be replacing K-9 Rio.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Canine Donation Agreement
2. Exhibit A
3. Photo
Prepared by: Tony Donohew, Special Operations Bureau Sergeant
Jamie Ebershoff, Executive Assistant
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police