The Saint John police’s canine unit has been without a police dog for nearly a year, following the death of Nitro in April of last year on the operating table during a dental procedure.
That’s according to police chief John Bates who tells us the force is not actively pursuing getting another dog and that’s because their canine handler is on the mend from a health issue and is currently working light duty — he says when the handler is fit to do canine officer duties they will look into getting a dog. But these two things have meant that the SJPF have had to stand the canine program down.
“I can tell you that we did not specifically budget for the purchase and training of a dog in 2016, that’s not to say that it would not happen or it could not happen but at this point in time we do not have any immediate plans,” says chief Bates.
Bates says in instances where it’s critical they have a canine on scene for a crime investigation or a missing person they can call on partner agencies in the province like Fredericton and the RCMP. Though he admits in a perfect world they would be in a position to call on their own canine unit to deal with it in what he calls a more timely fashion.
“We’re kind of juggling a few balls in the air right now with regard to the canine program, but certainly as a chief I will tell you that it is something I very much look forward to having in place,” says chief Bates.
