ALEXANDER SIMPSON:

I’ve heard that some officers have to pay for their dogs out of their own pocket. Is that true?

LT. EDDIE RODRIGUE:

Yes it’s true. I have worked several of my own K-9’s. I donated my present K-9 Vic, so I would be allowed to work him.   Our department now buys green dogs for the other handlers and I complete the initial training to save the department the price of a fully trained dog.

Our department pays $5,500.00 to $6,000.00 for a green dog. This is for a dog with great drives and some very basic training . A fully trained Police Service Dog these days is any were between $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 plus.