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File #: 0493-2025    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 2/18/2025 In control: Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee
On agenda: 3/24/2025 Final action: 3/27/2025
Title: To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to return a police horse with the registered name of “Fritz” to her original owner, Kira Schmidlin.

Explanation

 

“Fritz” a police horse that has been in service with the Division of Police’s Mounted Unit for a year and a half needs to be returned to her original owner. 

 

“Fritz” cannot be utilized due to her inability to lower her energy level when exposed to stimuli that she would be exposed to on the street.  She also has medical issues which has prevented her from getting the training needed to get her ready for service.    It is in the City’s best interest to return “Fritz”to her original owner.

 

It is recommended that “Fritz” be returned to her original owner, Kira Schmidlin, who has the resources to properly care for “Fritz” and wants the horse to return to her. Kira Schmidlin donated the horse to the Division of Police at no cost.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

There is no plan to replace this horse.

 

Title

 

To authorize and direct the Finance and Management Director to return a police horse with the registered name of “Fritz” to her original owner, Kira Schmidlin.

 

Body

 

WHEREAS, “Fritz” is a 15 year old Quarter Horse and she has been put into service a limited amount of time with the Mounted unit due to behavioral and medical issues; and

 

WHEREAS, “Fritz's” behavioral and medical issues prevent her from being used frequently.

 

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to allow this horse to returned to her original owner, Kira Schmidlin; now therefore

 

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:

 

Section 1. That the Finance and Management Director is hereby authorized and directed to return a police horse with the registered name of “Fritz” to Kira Schmidlin.

 

Section 2. That the Council of the City of Columbus finds it is in the best interests of the City that City Code 329.34- Sale of City-owned personal property, be and is hereby waived to permit the return of this specific horse to its original owner Kira Schmidlin.

 

Section 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.