Backers Want Canine Cops Back on the Beat

Supporters of the police dog program urged the City Council this week to reevaluate a recent decision to reduce the program from four dogs to two.

Lt. Dan Johnson said two of the police dog handlers have been removed from the canine unit for disciplinary reasons. He declined to elaborate.

The two officers have returned to regular patrol duty and have filed grievances with the city.

The two officers’ dogs were retired from service within the last few weeks, and the Police Department allowed the handlers to buy their dogs for $1.

Johnson said the decision to retire the dogs was made because one had medical problems and the other dog has only a couple years of service left.

“Due to medical reasons and age,” Johnson said, “it wouldn’t be financially worth it” to train new handlers.

Johnson also said that because of the city’s budget problems, “we’re unable to purchase two new dogs.”

Barbara Huss, whose husband is one of the dog handlers removed from the program, said his dog had medical problems in December but has recovered and “is capable of returning to his position as a police service dog.”

Huss also presented the council with petitions signed by more than 1,400 people who support the police dog program.

Resident Arlene Bumb told the council: “If anything, we need more canine officers, not less.”

Police said there are no plans to eliminate the canine program or retire the two remaining police dogs.

“We are absolutely not shutting down the program,” Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg told the council Monday.