Police Dog Laid Off Due To Economics

[MA-Caver]

Economy getting so bad right now that dogs are at risk of losing their jobs... hmm... didn't even know they got a paycheck... maybe a box of yummy milk-bones as a reward for a job well done... How tough is the economy right now? Even our four-legged friends are at risk of finding themselves out of work.

Daro, a five-year old German Shepherd who works for the East Haven Police Department in Connecticut, was laid off after the town council cut his budget. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelo...ut/economys-latest-victim-daro-the-police-dog

I do know that it takes expenses to care for a dog, food, vet care, etc. Still, it can't be THAT expensive annually by comparison to other departmental budget needs.

 

[jks9199]

A police dog is expensive. The department has to pay for the dog's food, vet care, a dedicated cruiser, and more. Often, they have to provide a kennel at the handler's home. The handler is also entitled to pay for caring for the dog, every day. Starting up is on the order of $50,000, not including the dog, training, or the handler's pay.

 

[MJS]

http://www.courant.com/community/county-new-haven/hc-ap-ct-policedoggonejun06,0,2766691.story

According to this, its $3500/yr to keep the dog in service. IMO, its a shame, and its too bad they couldn't find something else to cut, instead of the dog. They're a huge asset to the dept.

 

[oftheherd1]

It does seem like a strange move. However, $7000 for dental work and a dog getting older might make it seem like a good move. Also, if the police department was given a dollar figure to cut back to, the decision might have been made to cut the canine rather than an officer.

Not being part of the decision process, who knows?

 

[jks9199]

A five year old patrol dog is nearing the end of it's service life; eliminating the position of K9 handler without eliminating the officer may have been the plan. After all, they had all the stuff already -- but a new dog in a year or two is not going to be cheap.