FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2005
Contact: Barbara LoMoriello, Legislative Aide -- #(631) 854-4500

What to Do When Your Career Goes to the Dogs
Cooper Authors Legislation to Ensure Burned-Out Canine Gets Early Retirement

After learning that a decorated veteran of the Suffolk County Police Department’s K-9 Unit was facing forced early retirement—and perhaps even being treated like a used car by being offered up to the highest bidder on the auction block—County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) came to the rescue of "Chief", a 6-1/2 year old German Shepherd.

Chief’s career prospects weren’t always so glum. Back in 2003, he used his olfactory skills to heroically track down and rescue a Medford Alzheimer's patient who had gotten lost in the woods. This feat earned him a "Cop of the Month" citation from the Police Department in September that year.

But like most middle-agers, Chief began experiencing professional burn out about 18 months ago. Chief’s aggressive attitude towards his work started to transform into hostility towards other animals, such as cats and dogs. Although Chief has never attacked another animal, there was growing concern that he would if given the chance.

The one skill of Chief’s that didn’t wane with age was his talent at sniffing out bombs and other explosives. Unfortunately, that skill is not in great demand in Suffolk County.

Word began spreading that Chief might go on the County’s auction block as "surplus property", and that bothered Cooper. He was afraid that Chief’s aggression might attract a potential owner who would want to put the dog in the illegal fighting pits that exist in the murky depths of Long Island’s animal baiting underground.

Even if Chief was sold to a legitimate firm that uses explosives detection canines, Cooper feared that Chief’s age and aggressive tendencies might cause the future owner to euthanize him if the dog didn’t perform as well as expected. Several law enforcement agencies have already turned Chief down, including the Nassau County Police Department, New York City Police Department, Port Authority police, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York City Department of Corrections.

Cooper’s bill would ensure that Chief stays part of the family he already lives with by freeing him up for adoption – at no charge -- by one of the officers in the Suffolk County Police Department’s K-9 Unit.

"I help make the laws in Suffolk County and, while I know that Chief is technically considered ‘surplus property’ by the County, the reality is he is a living being that deserves the same rights we all do after we’ve given the best days of our lives to our career," says Cooper, who owns two dogs himself. "We might not be able to give Chief a gold watch but the least we can do is make sure he is properly taken care of so he can enjoy his golden years."