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City ends K-9 program, sells police dog to former handler

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August 18, 2010

by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- The loss of three full-time police officers and all four part-time jailers are not the only casualties of budget cuts in the police department.

The cuts also ended the city's K-9 program, as City Council approved a motion Aug. 12 to sell the department's German shepherd, Aron, to his former handler for $2,000.

Aron was a free replacement three years ago for another dog that cost about $11,000, but had to be returned because of behavioral issues.

Police Lt. Vince Yakopovich said the sale price is fair.

"I think we're lucky to get $2,000 for a 4-year-old dog," he said. "I don't think we're going to get a better offer."

Yakopovich said Aron had not worked since May.

He said budget cuts made in April meant the department could no longer afford to spare an average eight hours a week for Aron's partner, former Macedonia police Sgt. Stephen Van Ness, to care for and train with Aron.

"The big thing about continuing the program is the manpower," said Yakopovich.

In addition, Van Ness resigned July 16 and none of the other officers on the force had expressed interest in eventually taking over as K-9 officer, Yakopovich said. A phone number for Van Ness could not be found.

Yakopovich said the department has tried to find the best deal possible for Aron. The Shaker Heights Police Department showed interest, but "backed away" when it learned the dog's age. He said Aron may be approaching the end of his useful working life as a police dog, which is typically between 5 to 7 years. Because of this, he said, the $2,000 from Van Ness is likely to be the best offer the department would receive.

Councilor Shane Barker, a lieutenant with the Summit County Sheriff's Office, said he agreed.

"They do have a limit to how long they can be used," he said. "I don't know that another [police agency] would buy a dog that's 4 years old."

Yakopovich said Aron should be fine, since he has lived with and has become a pet of Van Ness and his family.

However, Yakopovich said he regretted ending the program, saying he wishes the department could afford two dogs. He said Aron has been useful because of his ability to detect four or five different types of illegal drugs, track people and locate objects, such as evidence thrown away by fleeing suspects.

"We've missed this dog," he said.

Aron was the department's third dog.

The city started the program when it acquired its first German shepherd, Mac, in 2003. Mac died at age 3 of heart failure in 2005.

In 2007, the city acquired its second dog, Blitz. That dog -- also a German shepherd -- had to be returned a short time later because he tended to be skittish, police said.

Aron, who was a year old and already trained, went on duty in July that year.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169




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