LINDEN TO GET DRUG DOG

The Linden City Council voted Monday to purchase and provide transportation
for a new drug dog.

The approval of the motion by councilman Dennis Breckenridge was given over
the strong objections of Linden Mayor Pat Vice.

The city has not had a drug dog since January 2002. The council at the time
voted to stop paying for feed and medical service for the dog, which was
owned by a former police officer.

"I'm strongly opposed to a (drug) dog," the mayor said. "...Demopolis has a
drug dog that we can borrow." The liability and the cost of a drug dog is
not made up by the number of drug arrests, Vice said.

"I personally think it's a good thing," said councilman Butch King. "...We
need to take it to the schools.

"...There are people driving through Linden everyday hauling drugs," King
said. "...There is a drug problem, and I think we need to do something about."

The dog will cost $6,000, said Linden Public Safety Director Jeff Laduron.
A demonstration of the drug dog will be provided for the council.

In other action from Monday's council meeting, the council voted to support
a proposed one-cent county sales tax if the city would receive half a cent
of the money collected in the Linden city limits and a quarter of a cent
collected in the Linden police jurisdiction.

(The Demopolis City Council approved a similar resolution September 8.)