HELP -Green Bay, K-9 unit to end, dogs euthanized??? - Page 2

I didn't figure they would be euthanized, but I think if enough people speak up about the benefits of the K-9 units...... maybe maybe something can be resolved to keep them. I think there is a lot of pwer playing going on and someone figured if they posted euthanizing, that would be the public's attention.

Go out and search the news. Very edifying. Seems the police chief estimates he can save $50,000 out of a 23 million dollar budget by eliminating these two dogs and their handlers. BUT WAIT he also wants to hire an assistanct chief!! Didn't see a discussion of how much THAT would cost but I don't know too many assistant chiefs who work for $50,000 or less. Good old American politics at work - screw the cops 'cause don't like the union contract we NEGOTIATED and AGREED to and play smoke and mirrors with the money.

Wow, TIG - unfortunately I'd bet you are exactly right. Back room bullshit politics as ususal. Of course his having an assisitant should be a priority over the K9 unit. After all, how else will the chief find time for photo ops?

TIG Do you have a link to your accusation? I find it hard to believe that two K9 handler's annual pay, insurance, the cost of two dogs, and vehicles equals $50,000 a year. If that is the case, he may be able to find an asst. for 15K/yr. Where is this, Mayberry, Wisconsin?

Here is a link to just one of the articles I found that confirms the chief wants to hire an assistant. I believe the $50,000 represents the savings which the chief wants to use to hire an assistant than the total cost of the canine units. He wants to contract with another counties' K9 unit, so there is still cost, and probably the two LEOs will still remain officers, so it really is just the savings of the dogs, not the officers: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=684928

Id be happy to adopt the dog if he is available, I can also try to rehome the 2nd dog..PM me if there is any feedback. These stories of bureaucrats are just Bullsh*t. Suck off the Govt teat, take our tax dollars & pull this crap euthanizing working dogs to save a buck.

Dekal - first and foremost I don't make accusations and resent the implication. I merely simply stated the facts which anyone can obtain for themselves by doing a simple google search. However since you would rather "accuse" me than do that here is a link for your persusal http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=7338574 . Here is the google search that I used - k9 unit "Jim Arts" Green Bay Police Chief. As you will see, the city has a different contract with K9 officers probably to reflect the off duty time they spend careing for and training and certification of the dogs(an ongoing process that never stops). The $50,000 is the chief's estimate of savings on OT if he could work the K9 officers more hours like regular patrol officers. Note also that while this article(and others) mention the chief's desire for an assistant because he is so overburned with paperwork I could not find any reference to the cost of that assistant. I still suspect it will be a whole lot more than $50,000 especially cause we are dealing with a 23 MILLION dollar departmental budget. Hope this clears things up for you.

Tig Excuse my vocabulary. I should have used a more fitting word than accusation.

I think the main object of our concern ought to be the well being of K-9's and not the budget of the dept...The budget is of concern to every dept. and needs to be accountable for it...There are a lot of depts that don't have their own K-9's and use other organization's on a contract type of deal...But I am concerned with what happens to the dogs themselves...It would be more logical for them to sell the dogs to another agency...so if they do offer them to the K-9 officers that would definitely be a very special thing...Let's hope and pray that this is what happens...This goes along with the post the other day when a U.S. K-9 soldier was killed in the line of duty and finally the government was allowing the family to adopt the dog...This is a fantastic story and I believe a first for any Governmental K-9...I think the time has come that more and more K-9 soldiers should be offered their partners...As has been the policy for many years and in all wars so far...the K-9 officers weren't offered to adopt their K-9 partner and in fact have been left behind because of financial burden on the U.S. Government...I would hope that more and more pressure is put on our government here in the U.S. to do the right thing...It's about time...and by a lot of us signing this petition it will show the support we give to our K-9's...Let's face it they become a part of our families...So let's hope all of this turns out for the best...Please keep up updated on the outcome... Thanks for your post...this is what this forum should be used for... ~Bob~

I also called, and they told me the same thing. Pam