Dunkirk dogs discussed again

DUNKIRK - Keeping a closer eye on money and doing a better job of planning were strongly emphasized by council members Judy Garr, Chuck Rife and Eric Bowler at Monday's meeting of the city's Board of Public Works and Safety.

Discussing the newest developments in the city police department's quest to start a canine unit program, Garr said, "You can't blame the council about information that was not given to them."

She added that the decision to purchase a new SUV for the police department at the last council meeting of 2009 was something that did not seem to have been well thought out. Also she said that the acquisition of the police dog came quicker than originally anticipated.

Bowler added that he had only learned recently that Boyca, a dog donated in March to the city through a United States Air Force program, was not working out and a second dog was now being trained to take its place.

Garr said that she didn't feel it was a good decision to pay for three non-refundable airline tickets for three city officials to travel to Lackland Air Force base, San Antonio, Texas, and bring back a dog that now will not be used.

"I have a problem with that," Garr said.

Bowler and Garr are both members of the board of works, along with mayor Ron Hunt.

Hunt had originally said he would pay for the expense of the San Antonio trip out of "his pocket." He has been reimbursed approximately $300 for his flight, and about $500 for lodging and meals during the trip. No claims for the two other plane tickets for the trip have been filed.

The second dog was donated to the city as a result of efforts by local resident and professional dog trainer Jim Bob McEwen.

At a Dunkirk council meeting last February, McEwen made the offer that the city could obtain a young police dog from the Tom Rose School, a dog training institution for more than 35 years, located near St. Louis. Nothing was done immediately following that February session, but later when Boyca didn't seem to be catching on to training commands quickly enough, police department officials decided to give the Tom Rose dog, an 18-month-old Dutch shepherd named Dalton, a tryout.

Dunkirk Patrolman Bobby Johnson, handler for both dogs at the present time, said Monday that Dalton has adapted well to the training regimen and is expected to graduate from the police dog training school in Delaware County by the end of this week. Dalton is being trained in narcotics detection and tracking of missing persons. It is not a "bite dog," Johnson and Police Chief Dane Mumbower emphasized.

Both Johnson and Mumbower said they currently favor keeping Dalton as the new city police dog, as opposed to the Air Force dog. Mumbower said a decision on what to do with Boyca will have to be made at a later time. Currently both dogs are undergoing training and living at the home of Johnson.

At Monday's board of works meeting, Mumbower and Johnson also reported that the 1999 police car, donated by Hartford City to be used as the canine unit car, was apparently not working out either. It appears to need some major engine repair work, as it is burning a lot of oil, Johnson said.

Mumbower said that one of the city's other police cars, a 2005 model, could possibly be switched over to be used as the canine unit car. However, Garr said that first she wanted to wait until a Dunkirk police dog had been certified as properly trained to begin its duties.

"I have a problem" with getting another car ready until the new dog is certified, Garr pointed out.

Also Garr said that she thought the city should send McEwen a special thank you for helping to obtain the new dog. Rife agreed with this idea, adding that he didn't feel McEwen was treated very nicely or with proper respect at the February council meeting when he originally made his offer.

Also Rife reminded Johnson that just prior to the original trip to pick up Boyca in March, council members were told by the mayor that if the city delegation did not think that any of the dogs at the Air Force base would work out for Dunkirk, they would come back without one.

Garr said that there appeared to be some poor planning and poor judgment on the part of city officials. She made a motion to table the car discussion. "Let's get our act together and spend taxpayers' money wisely," she said. Her motion passed unanimously.

Johnson then brought Dalton into city hall to introduce him to those present at the meeting. "He's been a real good dog. I'm pleased with his training," Johnson said.

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