Eunice alderman decided to keep a police dog that Police Chief Randy Fontenot says is no longer needed.
Fontenot said he has ended the three-year K9 program because he found it ineffective.
But the Board tabled his agenda item to have the dog, Robin, declared surplus at its Tuesday meeting.
The dog’s handler, Lt. Michael Dunn, addressed the Board.
“Unfortunately my attorney couldn’t be here tonight,” he said.
Dunn said disciplinary action has been taken against him over the K9 issue. He asked the Board to table the request to surplus the dog “until civil service evaluates the evidence.”
Fontenot responded, “There was no disciplinary action taken.”
He added, “I never recommended any disciplinary action. I think what he is calling disciplinary action is something that is going to be handled in his appeal.”
Eliminating the K9 is a budget decision, he said. After the meeting, Fontenot said the K9 program cost the department $500 to $600 a month.
The officer receives 20 hours of overtime a month to work with the dog, he said. Other expenses are food, veterinarian bills and training.
“Our K9 program is a good public relations program. It is something that I wanted and supported,” he said.
Three agencies have expressed an interest in obtaining the dog, he said.
“The dog was also being used a lot of time outside our agency being called by other agencies, departments, the prisons around here when they had an escape they would call the dog,” he said.
The dog is trained in tracking and narcotics, he said.
“The dog would tire out before we would even find the person that was being tracked,” he said.
“I haven’t seen enough results from the program to continue spending money on the program whenever we are seeing budget cuts,” he said.
Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux moved to table declaring the dog surplus because of the pending civil service appeal.
Fontenot replied, “Any programs that are in the police department are at my discretion. I’ve eliminated the program. The dog is no longer of use to the police department ... that civil service board cannot order me to have a particular program ...”
Thibodeaux said the master trainer in Lafayette told her “nothing is wrong with the dog” and that he responds to commands.
“That program is finished, Connie. It is finished. I’m not using the dog. The dog belongs to the city. I’m not paying for it after tonight,” Fontenot said.
Alderman Ernest Blanchard, who seconded the motion, said the Board needed more figures before action and said the issue had “popped up so fast.”
But Fontenot said the dog issue had been discussed in the mayor’s office with Board members three weeks ago.
“We didn’t know you would get rid of the program,” Blanchard said.
Alderman Marion “Nootsie” Sattler said, “I really think we have a drug problem in this town and I seem them on bicycles...”
Fontenot countered that the dog has been ineffective and noted two recent drug arrests were made without using the K9 unit.
Mayor Scott Fontenot asked if the chief would consider keeping the dog if the money could be found.
But the chief said the program has not been effective.
Alderman Chad Andrepont said he needed more information about why the dog is not effective.
Blanchard noted donations helped pay for the dog. The police chief said donations were about $8,000 to $9,000.
In other action involving the police department the Board approved hiring two officers and a jailer, and agreed to the police department plan to lease-purchase seven vehicles..
Fontenot said there would be three pickup trucks and four Chevrolet Malibus that would be used by detectives and administrative personnel.
In other business included:
— Three properties are to be subject to the condemnation process. They are 100 Fruge St., 451 N. Beulah St., and 541 N. 4th St.
— Eunice High School Coach Paul Trosclair was recognized.
— Mayor Scott Fontenot said people with overdue utility bills need to make payment.
— The summer recreation leagues are cancelled due to the coronavirus.
