Discussion regarding what to do with the Knox Police Department’s K9 Marco continued last night as Police Chief Clint Norem told the city council that a dog handler valued the animal at $0. Norem explained he took the animal to a dog handler with the Hobart Police Department to try to get an idea of the dog’s value so the city could decide whether or not selling the dog was an option.
Corporal Simon Gresser of the Hobart Police Department wrote a letter to the council explaining that Marco, the four-year-old K9, doesn’t have any resale value. This is due in part to his age and medical issues, as the dog was previously diagnosed with lyme disease. The condition can often cause stiff joints and kidney failures, which would hinder the dog’s ability to work.
Norem said that the animal has value at the Knox Police Department because it is a working animal, but because no officer is willing to undertake the training required to handle a K9, he can no longer be put to work.
City Attorney David Matsey said the Board of Works could now sell the dog for $1 to its current handler. The city council was previously unsure of how to go about getting rid of the animal because they were unsure of its value. Now that the dog has been valued at $0, the city can get rid of it for a very minimal fee.
