Byline: Mike Burke Daily Herald Staff Writer
Deco, Roselle's police dog who has sniffed out criminals and been a friend to the town's children, has been retired because of health and behavior problems.
The 8-year-old German shepherd has had two emergency surgeries in the last 18 months. He also bit a police department employee after returning to work recently, village officials said.
Deco has been on the job since 1995. His name, short for Drug Enforcement Canine Officer, was selected in a contest involving the community's school children.
Many kids have gotten to know Deco and his handler, Officer Dennis Medema, through their Drug Abuse Resistance Education classes in school or at community events like the Rose Parade.
His other job-related duties include sniffing out drugs or tracking missing and lost persons.
Police Chief Richard Eddington said Deco's most recent surgery occurred after he was kicked in the mouth by a person who was being placed under arrest. As a result of the anesthesia administered to repair a chipped tooth, Deco's stomach twisted, requiring immediate surgery to repair the damage, he said.
Previously, Deco had undergone surgery for an intestinal problem.
After his most recent surgery, Deco was unable to fully recover and perform at the high level of activity required of a police dog, Eddington said.
Village Administrator Robin A. Weaver said Deco also bit an employee. She described the bite as minor.
'But even a nip, this is a very big dog,' she said.
Officials decided two weeks ago to retire the dog rather than risk further aggressive behavior. The dog is trained to bark ferociously and attack on command.
Weaver said that if Medema chooses not to keep the dog as a family pet, the village could return the canine to its previous trainer in Indiana. The dog might be retrained for use by a security company, she said.
At this time, the village has no plans to replace Deco because of financial reasons. It can cost $10,000 to buy and train a police dog and handler, in addition to the ongoing costs to maintain a special squad car and care for the animal.
'I think it's been a very good program for the public and for the village,' Weaver said.
Roselle still will be able to call upon neighboring police departments that have police dogs when there is a need.
Deco is Roselle's second police dog. The first, Rocco, was killed in the line of duty by a drunken driver in June of 1995.
