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.) 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake