A K9 fulfills specific law enforcement needs. A K9 can search a building faster and more efficiently than several officers. The dog can find a lost/disabled child or elderly person faster, which is very important when lost time can mean the difference between life and death. The police also need probable cause to search without consent, and an "indicating" dog is probable cause.

But Gadfly does make a valid point that the dog is not like any ordinary tool that can be used by any officer. The nature of the training imprints the animal on one officer and makes it difficult or impossible to transfer to another. For this reason, I think it's appropriate to shift some of the costs to the officer and to rely more on donations from the public at large.

Frankly, I would rather a local K9 be used to find that distraught man in the corn field last year than a state helicopter flying low over head, causing confusion and scaring the crap out of people.

Well in my mind, a police dog (who is considered a bona-fide member of the force) sniffing for drugs is no less of a 4th amendment violation that an officer looking or feeling for drugs. However, I'm sure the Supreme Court would disagree with me (if they don't mind warrantless wire taps, they're not going to care about a drug sniffing dog).

As far as finding a missing person or child, that's a legitimate use, but how often does it happen? What I would like to know is how many times during the year that we had Kobe on the force was he actually called into service. I wonder if that was considered before we decided to obtain another dog.

I also would like everyone on the patch to tell me why I am such a loser.

The Hookerman no one likes is Kibitzer. Kibitzer is the Hookerman that no one likes. That's it! That's it!! Einhorn is Finkel! Finkel is Einhorn! Einhorn's a man!!!! Oh my God, Einhorn is a man!!!

Ouch!!!!! That's gonna leave a mark!

come on Hookerman....don't be so down on yourself :(
If I've told you once I've told you a hundred times.....There is somebody just like you out there, somebody that will see your good side, just be patient.

A state or federal grant will not cover all the costs in a given year and/or for a career of the officer. Can anyone provide the specific goals of the program that include measurements and fixed costs? Everybody loves a puppy...but that's not how government agencies should manage.

i agree...

Holy crap, you crushed Hookerman to the point where he had to change his name.
Dude.....that's a cyber victory. I kind of feel bad for the guy.........but he deserved most of it.