Ask Officer Michelle – Question #83
Posted by doneal
The first thing I want to say, is that this site is certainly not user friendly. There is a big difference between a comment and a question. I will submit my questions here and hope they get to the right location.
I would like to know if the City Police mounts wear special shoes for city duty, and if so, what are they?
Also, where are the horses watered while on duty?
I have noticed K-9 units parked behind the SMUD sub-station, 6th& H streets. The cars are running with the air conditioner on, because the dogs are inside. Why do they leave the dogs in the cars when they go into the building at 7th & H? Why don’t they take the dogs inside, so they aren’t wasting gas?
Dear doneal,
I spoke with Sergeant Don Davis of the Sacramento Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit who offered me the following information. The first answer to your questions is about the boots worn by mounted officers. They wear English riding boots, purchased from a small company in Omaha Nebraska. The boot brand is called “Dehner.” They also make motorcycle boots.
Our Mounted Patrol Unit patrols in a core area of Old Sacramento, City Hall and the K Street Mall. There are several watering locations within this core area where the officers stop and water their horses multiple times throughout the shift.
I then spoke with Sergeant Steve Oliveira of our K-9 unit, who told me that he and his officers usually only stop for a few minutes at the 6th and H location that you are speaking of. They have a substation there. They have weekly meetings there as well, and don’t usually bring their dogs into the meetings with them.
The newer patrol cars are equipped with a “Chilly Dog” system whereby there is an internal thermostat. The vehicle shuts off automatically when the temperature reaches its set point, and turns back on when the temperature begins to rise. This allows the dog to be comfortable while in the vehicle, and saves on fuel.
Officer Michelle
