Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 Source: Demopolis Times, The (AL) Copyright: 2003 Demopolis Times Contact: http://www.demopolistimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1804 Author: Barry H. Hendrix Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/drug+dog (drug dog) LINDEN TO GET DRUG DOG The Linden City Council voted Monday to purchase and provide transportation for a new drug dog. The approval of the motion by councilman Dennis Breckenridge was given over the strong objections of Linden Mayor Pat Vice. The city has not had a drug dog since January 2002. The council at the time voted to stop paying for feed and medical service for the dog, which was owned by a former police officer. "I'm strongly opposed to a (drug) dog," the mayor said. "...Demopolis has a drug dog that we can borrow." The liability and the cost of a drug dog is not made up by the number of drug arrests, Vice said. "I personally think it's a good thing," said councilman Butch King. "...We need to take it to the schools. "...There are people driving through Linden everyday hauling drugs," King said. "...There is a drug problem, and I think we need to do something about." The dog will cost $6,000, said Linden Public Safety Director Jeff Laduron. A demonstration of the drug dog will be provided for the council. In other action from Monday's council meeting, the council voted to support a proposed one-cent county sales tax if the city would receive half a cent of the money collected in the Linden city limits and a quarter of a cent collected in the Linden police jurisdiction. (The Demopolis City Council approved a similar resolution September 8.) - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake