The City of Early terminated the K-9 program of the Early Police Department after discussion in executive session of the city council Tuesday evening.

According to City Administrator Ken Thomas, the K-9 program had been in use for 9 years and started with donations raised to purchase the first dog.  Initially, Officer Johnny Brown was the K-9 handler.

After the first dog had some problems, another was purchased, officials said.  Now 4-year-old “Tessa,” a Belgian Malinois, has become difficult for the small police department to manage.  After Brown left, Officer Amanda Williams was charged with the K-9 unit.

According to Early Chief of Police David Mercer, the department hates to see Tessa go, but understands that she is not being used to her potential.

“It’s one of those things.  It’s extremely hard for a small department to maintain a K-9 program due to the high level of time involved,” said Mercer.  “The dog is with you 24 hours a day.”

Mercer and Thomas both explained that the dog is with its handler all the time and requires a commitment and dedication that is hard to come by.

Thomas explained that the city felt that the K-9 program was not being used to its full potential and decided to do away with the program.  He explained that just handling the dog was a full time job.

According to Thomas, the dog is owned by the City of Early; however, Mercer has been charged with finding another entity that will be able to use her to her full potential.

“The main thing is getting the dog placed somewhere she can be used to her fullest potential,” said Thomas

Mercer stated that Tessa will be kept local and that she and her new handler will be able to help EPD in the future.

“In 6-8 months, you may start seeing her in the news again,” said Mercer.

Losing Tessa was a hard decision according to Mercer.  He stated it is hard to see her go, but that the department the whole discussed the situation before it was ever brought to a vote at city council and that “everyone was on the same page.”