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Pataskala officer urges council to let him buy K9 Rico as debate prompts talk of canine policy
Summary
A Pataskala police officer, who identified himself as Rico’s handler, asked city council to allow him to purchase the department’s K9 after he was ordered to return the dog; council and the police chief discussed the department’s ownership, past practice and the need for written policy.
Josh DeJesus, who identified himself as Rico’s former handler, told the Pataskala City Council on Jan. (address on file) that he wants to buy the department’s narcotics dog, Rico, after being ordered to return the animal on Dec. 12.
DeJesus said he bonded with Rico during training in 02/22 and described that the dog had been central to his work: “For 2 years, Rico has been at my side,” he said, and he cited deployments and arrests the team handled together. DeJesus asked council to “please have discussion for me to purchase Rico for a fair and agreeable price.”
The request prompted a longer council discussion and comments from Chief Brooks about the department’s position and…
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