Council approves police dogs retirement from department

News-Times
News-Times

The El Dorado Police Department is saying goodbye to two retiring “officers,” and the El Dorado City Council signed off Thursday on an action regarding the retirements.

Aldermen approved a request by EPD Chief Billy White to sell two police dogs, Boscoe and Braun, to their handlers, Lt. Scott Anspaugh and former EPD officer Kevin Knight.

White said Boscoe and Braun, both all-purpose dogs for the EPD, have been with the department for eight and four years, respectively.

White said Boscoe could no longer do the job effectively

Braun, who had been with the EPD for four years, was being retired because of a medical condition that affects the dog’s hips.

White explained that when police dogs retire, the EPD follows two options, either put them to sleep or sell them to their handlers.

In this case, he said the handlers wanted to purchase their dogs at a cost of $1 apiece.

“It absolves the city of any liability, and I need the city council’s approval to do that,” White said.

Mayor Frank Hash inquired about replacements for the retiring dogs, and White said the department already had one new dog, Shakira, who joined the EPD several weeks ago.

The police chief said Shakira was purchased with private donations. The dog is paired with Anspaugh.

White said the EPD is looking to replace Braun. White said Knight resigned from the EPD last month for other employment, and a handler for the new dog will be determined.

The EPD has slots for four police dogs and currently has three on its roster.

Another item the council had been expected to discuss was postponed.

On Dec. 19, the council adopted ordinances permitting aldermen Vance Williamson and Mary McAdams’ family businesses — Diversified Services Lawn and Garden and interest in Diversified Construction and Design — to do business with the city.

Williamson works for Diversified Lawn and Garden, which is owned by his brother Blake Williamson.

Blake Williamson has an interest in Diversified Construction and Design, which is co-owned by Buddy McAdams — Mary McAdams’ son — and Howard Cupp.

McAdams works part-time for Diversified Construction and Design.

City Clerk Heather McVay said an amendment is needed in the wording of the final motion to adopt the ordinance allowing Vance Williamson to conduct business with the city by bidding for city projects.

Hash said Thursday that the matter was postponed because Alderwoman Dianne Hammond was absent.

McVay explained that Hammond would need to amend the motion because she made the initial

Vance Williamson and McAdams abstained from their respective votes on Dec. 19.

In other business Thursday, the city council agreed to retain aldermen Judy Ward and Vance Williamson as the primary and secondary, respectively, stand-ins to preside over city council meetings in Hash’s absence.

Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.

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