Phoenix Councilmember Anna Hernandez said she does not support the Phoenix Police K-9 Unit, calling it “dog abuse.”

“In my view, that is dog abuse to train these dogs to attack people. Furthermore, this is just one more weapon that we are throwing money at that we should be investing in care,” Hernandez said during the Wednesday, Nov. 19 city council meeting.

Anna Hernandez

The comments came ahead of a vote to allow a retiring officer on the K-9 Unit, Steven Mead, to purchase his assigned dog Deichmann for $1. Deichmann is 8 years old and has worked for the police department since 2018. A city document states he has met the department’s standard five years of service and “due to his age and bond with his handler, it is requested that he be allowed to retire,” the document states.

Herna

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