Washington city may lay off drug-sniffing dog

[May 06, 2009]  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 reported 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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Information from: The Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com/

[Associated Press]

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