City Seeks Care for Canines' Canines

Forget the price of health insurance for its employees, the City of San Diego also has to deal with setting up a health and dental plan for its police dogs. According to a recently posted “request for quotation,” the City is looking for a veterinary office to provide total care of its canines for a year, with four yearlong extension options. “Dental service shall be available at a common facility which also provides medical and shall be located within 10 miles of Canine Headquarters, 4240 Federal Boulevard…There shall be an on-site Board Certified Dentist capable of performing on dogs: routine teeth cleaning and repair and guarantee that dental work will withstand bite-suit work.” In addition, “There shall be an on-site Board Certified Internal Medicine Veterinarian capable of treating emergencies (i.e. gunshot, stabbing, and/or other life threatening trauma cases).” Of course, this being police work, a few risks are entailed: “Staff shall have the ability to handle aggressive bite trained working police dogs.” And the dogs and their masters will require VIP treatment: The office must “provide an area isolated from the public for Officers to wait with their canine partners while in treatment recovery.”