Kenny Lane, Rowan County, N.C.
♦ I read Shavonne Pott’s article regarding Jack the police dog today and several questions immediately came to mind. Jack’s age is 8. Police canine handlers and societies have set the upper end of service for aggression trained dogs at between eight and ten years. Chief Collins states Jack has up to four years of service left. This appears unusually optimistic by comparison. Can Shavonne advise what Collins’ optimism is based on? How exactly did Chief Collins come up with a number TWO YEARS past what trainers recommend? Surely it was not an arbitrary number he picked to excuse vindictive behavior.
I am curious as to why Collins keeps referring to the Letters-to-the-Editor by the “Friends of Jack”, a group of concerned Salisbury Police as the work of a “blogger”. Clearly those letters were posted as a Letter-to-the Editor and contains only information that current police would know. Only officers currently working with the Salisbury Police would recognize Jack, the time he was out there in the pen, and that he was poorly attended to for over 2 weeks. They also know how Collins unfortunately feels about personnel “flying the coop” for other opportunities elsewhere.
The Post article states a veterinarian had examined Jack and stated he was in good condition. Did Shavonne ask which veterinarian and what date this examination was done? Certainly this information would have served to alleviate some of the public concern. Why was it not reported?
Did Shavonne determine the name of the professional trainer Jack is supposedly going to? Was any attempt made to seek his/her opinion on whether attempting to place Jack with a rookie handler was as fiscally smart as placing this handler with a younger animal – thus avoiding potential bonding issues? Canine handlers report the older the dog the less chance of successfully placing him with another handler. Jack is eight going on nine. Aggression trained service dogs typically retire between eight and ten.
Several animal activists have reported they attempted to buy Jack to turn him over to Officer Fox – but to no avail. What would be the purpose of sending a dog on the upper end of his service life to training when a new dog could have been purchased with this money? If the cost of that dog is paid by the purchase of Jack what fiscal sense does attempting to place Jack with a rookie handler, which has a high probability of failure, make versus sending a young dog? If Jack refuses to bond with this trainer the city is out everything invested in this training. Belgian Malinois are noted for bonding their handler. They can be destructive or develop neurotic behaviors if not provided enough stimulation and exercise. Jack is going to be placed with a rookie handler after two weeks of living in a kennel behind the police department. Does anyone else see this as less than optimal?
Perhaps the biggest question I had relates to Chief Collins report of Jack being moved “for his own protection” Apparently Jack’s living over two weeks in the kennel was safe until animal activists began taking photographs of him on Monday. Does Collins believe these people, who were attempting to document the conditions of Jack and his kennel, are endangering Jack? The kennel is fenced, with a covered roof and cement pad. It sits within a second fence near the entrance to the police department and is under video surveillance 24/7. Uniformed officers are coming and going around the clock. What location did Collins find that was safer than this? Did Shavonne ask if the kennel was still being used by other department canines since it’s apparently unsafe? Does the city plan to remove the kennels since they were so unsafe Jack had to be moved for “his protection”? Or did the “his” refer to Collins’ protection? Perhaps Jack’s removal was to prevent further observation and not for concern for Jack’s safety.
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Helen Quinn, Clearwater, Florida
♦ Chief Collins, Mayor Paul Woodson, and anyone else who cares about an injustice being done:
Just wanted to send you a note after reading the terrible story about, one of your K-9’s Jack! I am truly an animal lover and this just tears right to the heart. The story makes you out to be a criminal to animal cruelty (like the people you would arrest)?
Why don’t you be the bigger person and give Jack to his handler Officer Fox?
Your public relations person should have stepped in, Mr. Mayor Woodson and made you do this for the sake of one of your valued officers and now retiring aged out dog.
Collins, Jack should be with his handler Officer Fox whom loved, cared and treated him like family, until you started a petty war over a loyal office or as you probably only see it as a DOG!
I have family in law enforcement in Florida and was truly unsettled with your actions, and Mr. Mayor you need to step in and do what is right for this K-9 Officer not just a DOG, but officer!
IF you truly think I am wrong read the story again and again or contact me to discuss this, just an observation, your ego is overshadowing the right thing to do, Please let Jack go home to Officer Fox! I will contact the Mayor’s office again to see if any resolution is done. GET Jack out of the prison and set him free to his family Officer Fox!
Please let Jack go home to Officer Fox.
