PELL CITY COUNCIL AGREES TO BUY POLICE DOG

The Pell City Council and mayor agreed Monday night to buy a police dog
from Odenville Police Department. Police Chief Greg Turley said the dog
will primarily be used for sniffing out drugs but can also be used in
searches for suspects and lost children and adults.

Turley said "Brando" is not an attack dog, but Mayor Guin Robinson said
that is only if you don't mess with his toy.

At a demonstration last week, the mayor reached down to pet Brando, and the
dog lunged at him.

"He doesn't like to be petted when he's playing with his toy," Robinson
said at Monday night's council meeting. "The quick reaction by the officer
probably saved my arm."

Last week, the dog detected a small amount of marijuana hidden in a car
parked in front of City Hall. The demonstration, with handler Greg Surles,
who is now on the Pell City Police Department roster, proved to many
observers the dog's worth.

Brando will go into action for the city as soon as liability insurance is
secured for him.

"I would start him tonight, if I could," Turley said, adding that he will
get the appropriate insurance for the dog today.

"We'll get the dog immediately," he said.

The council approved using $2,923 from surplus money to help buy the dog.
The price of the dog is $3,000, but Turley said he will come up with the
rest of the money.

Under the council's purchase approval for the dog, Surles will have to move
within three miles of the city within the next six months.

A police dog like Brando follows its handler, and is virtually of no use to
the Odenville Police Department without Surles, who recently transferred to
the Pell City Police Department.

At Monday night's meeting, the mayor and council approved a policy for
police service dogs, as well as a policy concerning bullet proof vests.

Pell City officers in the field are now required to wear bullet proof vests.

The department is expected to purchase new vests for all police personnel
with drug seizure money it expects to receive by mid-August. The council
and mayor wanted to make sure if the city spent the money on bullet proof
vests they would be used.

The money will be used for a matching grant to buy the class 3A vests. The
city's share of the cost is $6,750.

[REMAINDER OF ARTICLE DESCRIBING OTHER ACTIONS TAKEN BY CITY COUNSEL
UNRELATED TO DRUG POLICY DELETED]