I am very pleased to report that everything appears to be resolved regarding the 12 police horses that are being retired with the unit.

 

After my discussion w/ Kwame Kilpatrick's Re-election Campaign staffers last week, and a call back I made to them again this AM, I received a call from Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings.  She stated that she had the 12 horses appraised, and they would not generate much money if sold (because of ages and condition). 

She said she expected as much and wanted the appraisal to help support her formal written proposal to give all 12 horses away to four proposed parties whom she has reviewed to ensure that they will provide a pasture environment and proper care for the rest of the horses' lives.  She believes that police horses (like police dogs, she emphasized) deserve nothing less than a humane retirement.

 

Contrary to the article in the 9/13 Free Press by B.Schmitt, the Police Chief said it is not feasible for people like Bob Raisch or others to try to subsidize the cost of the unit on a long-term basis since it costs them $15,000/mo. to maintain the horses.   (I reassured her that the MHS was fully understanding of the fiscal situation and had never questioned that decision; only wanted to ensure the humane disposition of the horses.)

 

Her written proposal includes sending four horses to the Lutzes (12, 18, 21, and 24-years of age).  The others would be disbursed among three other people who have the accommodations and know how to care for horses. 

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