SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio — Controversy has erupted in Sheffield Lake. The police union says its K-9 unit was suddenly terminated by the city's mayor, Dennis Bring.
During an overflowing city council meeting on Tuesday, Bring said he was suspending the program.
"I decided it was the best interest of taxpayers to put the K-9 vehicle back into the patrol fleet. That meant that I was suspending the K-9 unit," Bring explained during the meeting.
Sheffield Lake K-9 Lenny has only been on the streets of the city since September. Mayor Bring has been barking that Lenny is not doing his job, adding that the vehicle Lenny rides in costs the taxpayers $50,000. So it needs to be a patrol car.
"He's been used one or two times in the last seven months," Bring told 3News' Lydia Esparra after the meeting. "I'm not a handler. I'm not a professional. This dog is a little hyperactive and bounces around and stuff like that."
But police and the community love the four-legged officer and paid thousands to get him and keep him. Many residents had questions for Bring about his decision.
"Did you consult city council before you got rid of the K-9 unit?," one resident asked Bring.
"These dogs are more than just to find drugs and capture criminals," another added.
The police union says the move by Bring is retaliation for the K-9 handler complaining about mold and other issues at the police department.
"We're reasonable people," said Thomas Austin, executive director of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. "We're willing to sit down with the mayor. He's an expert in government in Sheffield Lake, we are experts in law enforcement. We're willing to have that discussion."
But Mayor Bring says enough of the whining. The K-9 unit is suspended.
"Without being able to get another vehicle, I have no recourse right now. So that's the way it's gonna be," Bring added.
Donors raised $10,000 to help get K-9 Lenny to Sheffield Lake, but Bring says that money will be returned.