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SALT LAKE COUNTY -- The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office had to cut roughly $5 million from Corrections, and it still has more cuts to make from the law enforcement side. All departments are being considered. It is even looking at the costs of the K-9 unit.
K-9 officials hope their dogs aren't laid off because that may mean the loss of a handler too. "It's obviously in the back of my mind. I would hope they would look at alternate forms to reduce budget," said K-9 Unit supervisor Randy Thomas.
He says new dogs can cost $5,000 to $7,000, and trained dogs could cost double that. Of course, the biggest variable in cost for these animals is vet bills.
"It's not uncommon for a dog to cut itself, say on fences, glass, anything like that," Thomas explained.
Thomas says he believes dogs help save money. They can clear out large spaces faster than people can.
A dog in Snohomish, Wash., almost lost her job because it cost $16,000 a year to keep her.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
