Saturday, May 30, 2009

Budget cut: Aberdeen WA police lay off K9 Nitro

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ABERDEEN, Wash. -- The Aberdeen Police Department has laid off its K-9 dog Nitro due to budget cuts. The Daily World reports that police Officer Steve Timmons is raising money to bring his partner back after the German Shepherd was cut from the force earlier this month. Police Chief Bob Torgerson says laying Nitro off saves the department $12,000 a year. That's mostly in overtime the city pays Timmons to care for the dog during off hours. Timmons says he wants to work with the city and union to eliminate the overtime. He also wants to donate his time but says federal rules and labor laws won't allow it. Timmons is also seeking donations to cover Nitro's food if he returns to work. Six-year-old Nitro has helped nab between 35 and 40 suspects since he joined the force in 2005. The dog has been with Timmons since he was laid off.

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