Did Dirty Politics Shut Down K-9 Unit?
JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- Dirty politics may be going to the dogs – literally.
As CBS 2 Investigator Dave Savini reports, a highly trained police K-9 unit is being disbanded, and the dogs that helped bring in millions of dollars in seizures may be given away or even killed.
This is all reportedly happening because of bad blood from an election.
Three-year-old Max and 13-year-old Indy live with Will County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Hunter, and have become part of his family. But they were much more than that.
Max and Indy were police dogs with the Will County Sheriff's Department, that have sniffed out hidden guns and millions of dollars in drugs, says Hunter, the senior K-9 handler for the department.
"He's probably brought in close to $50 or $60 million dollars in seizures over the years," Hardy said.
Last year alone, Indy found $1.3 million stashed behind hidden panels a motor home. The county got to keep $300,000 of it.
The dogs are paying for themselves, and more, says Hunter.
But that's about to change. Hunter says the department is getting rid of three dogs, their handlers are being reassigned, and the unit is being dismantled. Hunter says it's all about dirty politics.
Hunter says in the election last year, the deputies' union endorsed the challenger to Sheriff Paul Kaupas.
"We gave the other guy, his opponent, some money for some campaign ads, and it made him angry," Hunter said.
That's why Kaupas, who got re-elected, is pulling the plug on the K-9 unit, says Hunter.
"I'm very frustrated, because this dog is a very valuable asset to Will County. He's proven it," Hunter said.
He said he will now have to give Indy away.
Hunter says taxpayers will now be out nearly $60,000 initially invested in the dogs and training. Thousands more will be spent ripping out kennels from squad cars and officers' back yards.
Dogs will reportedly be given away for pennies on the dollar. There was even talk that one dog would be put down, although the latest word is that someone has been found to take him.
That dog helped with a big bust last spring, which is going to bring big bucks to will county's coffers.
"And the sheriff's going to receive a ton of money from that," We're seizing planes; we're seizing automobiles from this thing," Hunter said.
"These dogs are a valuable tool," Hunter continued, "and it's a shame to get rid of these valuable animals just because you're mad at the union. It's a shame."
Kaupas refused to comment or even issue a statement on the issue.
Hunter says he is now learning the county might actually spend even more money to purchase new dogs and train new officers as handlers.
Those officers just happen to work in the drug unit run by the sheriff's son-in-law.
