Even police dog may not be immune to layoffs

By Associated Press

Summary

The Snohomish City Council may decide Tuesday night to trim the budget by laying off a member of the police force - Dixie the drug-sniffing dog.

Story Published: May 5, 2009 at 9:54 AM PST

Story Updated: May 5, 2009 at 9:54 AM PST

SNOHOMISH, Wash. (AP) - The Snohomish City Council may decide Tuesday night to trim the budget by laying off a member of the police force - Dixie the drug-sniffing dog.

Dixie finds drugs and money for the reward of playing with a chew toy, but the 7-year-old shepherd-collie mix costs about $16,000 a year in vet care, food, grooming, kennel and training costs.

The Everett Herald reports Snohomish plans to keep its other police dog, Kizar. The German shepherd is needed to track criminals and is a younger dog.

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