Union Police Department’s long-time K-9 officer, Tammy, has retired after years of service due to concern over her failing eyesight.
In a Board of Aldermen meeting June 2, Police Chief Billy Pat Walker asked the city to allow Tammy to go live with her human partner, Officer Steve Robinson, for the rest of her life.
“We went ahead and retired Tammy and cancelled insurance on her,” he said. “I would like to ask that we donate Steve this dog for her to live out her life in luxury.”
Tammy, who was trained to find drugs, was an asset to Union Police Department in its efforts to find and confiscate illegal drugs, Walker said.
“She has done us a tremendous job through the years of finding dope,” he said. “I just feel like she needs a good home, and I know Steve will take care of her. And, he would like to keep her.”
Walker said Tammy’s duties will be taken by the department’s new police dog, Tao, who was donated from another department. Tao has similar training to Tammy in finding drugs and has been working with Robinson for several months as the two adjust to the partnership.
In addition to finding drugs, Walker said Tao is also training in apprehending suspects, which will require additional training for Robinson to use.
“This dog already had a lot of training, and this dog has an apprehension training on it also,” Walker said. “They said we’re going to be given some extra money to train Steve to handle this dog on an apprehension.
“I hope we don’t ever use it, but it’s there. This dog is already trained.”
With the funding, the cost to the city to train Robinson in apprehension would only include travel and salary, Walker said.
The board approved both the training for Robinson and Tammy’s retirement.
