Bosco and Jasper might soon find themselves out to pasture.
Police Services Board’s Lynda White told county council that it is time to consider the future of the Wellington OPP’s Mounted Unit.
“We need some serious discussion,” she said.
The board has recommended that chairman Russ Spicer attend the next meeting of the Grand River Agricultural Society to make a funding request, and the report also noted staff will report on options to address the issue at the June Police Services Board meeting.
The board faces two difficulties. One is Bosco, who now weighs a full ton, and Jasper is only marginally lighter. That, combined with an inadequately sized and deteriorating trailer, particularly the floor, leaves the board pondering the fate of the unit.
“The trailer is not big enough to move the horses,” White said.
She added all mayors are asked to get back to her with their suggestions for what to do with the unit.
Councillor Bob Wilson asked how many OPP detachments have Mounted Units.
Inspector Scott Smith said there is only one place other than the Wellington unit, and that unit operates only occasionally because its horses are owned by an OPP officer.
Hearing that, Wilson said he recommends the OPP here drop its Mounted Unit “and spend the money on something more appropriate.”
White said the board is “looking for that kind of input.”
The budget for the horses in 2009, with the salaries of the officers, who do other work, too, was $8,100. This year that budget is $9,000.
White said in an interview on Monday she would like to hear from citizens on the issue. They can email her at lyndaw@wellington.ca.
Canine Unit successful
The other animal unit of the county OPP received more appreciation at the Police Services Board meeting.
The OPP has been bringing different units it has to the board meetings to explain what they do.
At the May board meeting, Sergeant Barry Reid, of the Emergency Response Team, explained the county OPP’s Canine Unit.
White said that unit is good for finding lost people and she got a chuckle when she added it is particularly good at finding people who want to get lost.
She added that prior to the meeting, some illicit narcotics were hidden in the meeting room.
When Reid’s 5-year-old German Shepherd, Dekker, was brought into the room and told to search, it did not take long for him to locate the hidden drugs.
