By Joanna Putman
Police1
VICKSBURG, Miss. — The Vicksburg Police Department is facing public debate over the future of a K-9 named Nadia following the resignation of her handler, the Vicksburg Post reported.
Despite public sentiment favoring K-9 Nadia’s retirement to live with former handler Matt Barnes, VPD leadership has decided she will remain in active service due to her age and capabilities, according to the report.
“This is such a delicate situation,” Chief of Police Penny Jones stated. “Nadia still has a lot of life in her and plenty she can still do at the VPD. The dog’s main purpose is to work. And this dog is not grieving. The dog just wants to work.”
The controversy stems from Barnes’ deep bond with Nadia, developed over five years of working together, according to the report. K-9s can cost between $20,000 and $30,000 to acquire and train, which contributes to the department’s reluctance to release her from service.
While Barnes offered to compensate VPD for Nadia, Jones highlighted that the situation involves considerations beyond financial compensation.
“We have a living, breathing animal that we are taking care of here, but this is also a tool of the Vicksburg Police Department,” said Troy Kimble, Deputy Chief of Policy for Homicide and Gangs.
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The perimeter is tight. The channel is secured. The K-9 unit is logged on and is rolling to your location to assist in locating a suspect. Here are 10 things patrol officers can do to increase success when the police K-9 team shows up: