Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Columbia K-9 program 'on hold' amid heated conflict; Mayor Lutz on the hot seat


Columbia Borough Mayor Leo Lutz said Monday the plan to have a new K-9 officer and handler in place by spring is "on hold."

His statement prompted outbursts from members of both council and the Columbia K-9 Committee, a nonprofit organization that defrays the cost of the borough's K-9 officer.

Mike Beury, council president, told Lutz that it was time to "tell the truth."

Lutz said the reason for the decision was personal, and based on Keyser's concern about having a dog trained to bite in his home.

Council vice president Barry Ford said that he spoke with Keyser last week, and that the mayor's statement about the reason for the officer's decision was incorrect.

Under heated questions from council and residents alike about the timing of communications and the way in which decisions were being made, Lutz appeared to lose his temper, countering that the K-9 program is a police program and, therefore, not officially the business of the council.

Council member Jim Smith said that Lutz had "drawn a line in the sand. I always felt you felt we don't exist."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a shame! WHY do you need a dog trained to bite? I respect the Officers decision to change his mind....most or of these officers have families just like you and I....would YOU want a trained to bite dog around your children? what was wrong with the regular training and i thought the dogs are part of a Good will Campaign? Wow thats hypoctirical...beings all these programs are centered on children. there must be more to this.

Anonymous said...

What good is a trained police dog that doesn't bite ? This isn't a dog to walk around and have the children pet. He darned well better bite one command for all that they payed to train him !

CG