> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dpssop.equinoxroleplay.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# K-9.2 - Vehicle, Equipment & Welfare

> Approved K-9 vehicles, containment, environmental safeguards, care, and service status.

## Approved vehicle and containment

A K-9 handler shall use an officially marked Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer) or a DPS-approved equivalent SUV configured for canine service. Required external markings include agency insignia, assigned unit identification, and K-9 warning markings.

* The K-9 travels in a secure rear canine compartment with an appropriate cage or half-cage divider; not unsecured in the front passenger area.
* The cage door and divider remain latched in motion. Inspect latches, ventilation, cleanliness, window protection, and access at the beginning of each duty period.
* Department-approved vehicles should have effective climate control, available temperature alerting, safe canine entry and exit, and appropriate protective features.
* Remove a vehicle from K-9 service when a defect compromises animal or occupant safety; report the defect.
* A K-9 transport configuration does **not** automatically authorize prisoner transport. The DPS detainee transport and cage policy also applies.

### Required vehicle equipment

* Drinking water and portable bowl.
* Primary and spare lead, suitable collar, harness, spare harness, and muzzle.
* Canine first-aid supplies, towels, sanitation materials, and protective gloves.
* Appropriate paw protection, flashlight, and deployment accessories.

### Loading, access, and safe transport

Before loading or unloading, handlers shall secure the leash, check surroundings and traffic, and control canine movements by command. Do not permit personnel to stand in the canine's path or open the enclosure without authorization.

Routine cage access is restricted to the assigned handler and other currently certified K-9 personnel with a legitimate duty need, or veterinary personnel under appropriate supervision. Use of canine seating space for people is prohibited while it compromises canine containment or safety. Any exceptional emergency use requires supervisor authorization and compliance with DPS transport policy.

### Environmental and temperature safety

* Do not leave a canine unattended in a vehicle unless the climate and monitoring safeguards make it safe.
* Maintain vehicle climate systems and alerts as equipped; **visually and electronically check at least every 15 minutes** when the canine must remain secured in the vehicle.
* On HVAC failure, temperature alarm, distress, or other unsafe condition, remove the dog promptly and notify supervision.

### Daily care and service readiness

The handler is responsible for feeding, drinking water, exercise, rest, clean housing, basic grooming, and prompt veterinary attention. The existing program guidance calls for feeding twice daily unless a veterinarian directs otherwise, offering water during deployments approximately every 30–60 minutes as conditions require, and at least one regular rest day per week.

Before duty and after significant deployment, check hydration, behavior, energy, gait, paws, and equipment fit. Remove the canine from service and notify supervision for injury, distress, illness, uncontrolled behavior, or impaired readiness. No dog shall be forced to work when doing so creates avoidable injury or suffering.

### Veterinary care, selection, and withdrawal

Program leadership oversees selection, veterinary screening, vaccinations, preventive care, and welfare records. Selection evaluates temperament, obedience, environmental stability, and detection aptitude. K-9s may be withdrawn from service because of health, behavior, or sustained qualification deficiencies, subject to K-9 leadership and command review.

Retirement, adoption, and humane end-of-life decisions shall be handled through documented command approval and appropriate veterinary guidance. Handlers may receive first consideration for adoption subject to suitability review.

> [!NOTE]
>
> The original manual lists equipment that may not exist as functional FiveM vehicle mechanics, along with highly detailed veterinary and stat-tracking schedules. Those operational details should be maintained in the training/handler reference only where the server actually supports them; this policy does not claim that unimplemented systems exist.


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