I can only speak for department for which I work. People don't always like the answers, but if nothing else, I usually tell it the way it is. With our department, we do budget for illness and serious injury. In addition to routine veterinarian procedures, food and equipment. Personally, I feel if a department can't fully fund a canine unit, and support it with the proper equipment and medical support, they shouldn't have a unit. I don't think they should rely on donations etc to provide for the day to day operation of a K9 Unit. Either the department fully commits or they don't. Many dogs don't wear vests for a number of reasons. Generally, it's been my experience, unless the dog is to be used for a specific hazardous situation, ie a SWAT call, a vest isn't worn. It's also been my experience that a vest wouldn't have made a difference in dogs that have been killed during a situation.

The "manager" of a K9 unit often has to make decisions that are not popoular. As hard as it may be to understand, there is such a thing as diminishing returns. Limited budgets, the expected working life of a dog all have to be considered. The cost benefit of replacing a dog rather than "fixing" an older one, all have to be taken into consideration. Yes, it is property. It's property that has a specific function. If it can't perform that function then it's an expenditure that often times there just isn't money for it. I've had to make those decisions. Personally, I try to be a good steward of the money I have to spend to support the K9 Unit. I can't do that using emotion. I won't allow a dog to suffer and I won't put an officer on the street with a dog that can not perform it's duties. Sometimes decisions are made that don't I don't like to make, but someone has too.

DFrost

"Do you know if the way K9 units are funded is separate from state-state or even city-city? I get the impression that they must be."

It's my experience that they are many different ways K9 units are funded. From what I've seen, State and larger city programs are fully funded and rarely rely on donations, freebies etc. Smaller cities, towns and counties seem to rely more on donations and "shirtail" organization. There are several problems that can result from such "management" among them are the problems with veterinarian care as discussed in this thread. Proficiency, proper deployment, proper training are also concerns when the department is not fully involved/committed to a program.

dFrost

It sounds like your dogs and department are lucky to have you.

 Quote: Jodi Moen

It sounds like your dogs and department are lucky to have you.

I keep telling them the same thing, ha ha.

DFrost