Commissioner-

The agenda for the meeting to be held on 9/24 includes a motion to allow K9 Axel to retire (as recommended by Dr. Shane Daigle DVM) because of his worsening medical conditions..not uncommon for a dog his age. We applaud this move as Axel should be retired so he can enjoy his remaining years as a “house pet”. Our concern with this motion is it includes “allowing his handler Dep. Garretson to “purchase” Axel for $1.00”. Your Honor, Dep. Garretson has only been Axel’s handler for a short time. Axel’s handler, for years, was Dep. Skinner. Axel was removed from Dep Skinner a few months ago because of hurt feelings & official politics. It is because of these hurt feelings & vindictive actions, both Axel & Dep. Skinner’s young son have been punished. THEY are paying the price for these decisions.  We, the undersigned, feel that Axel needs to be with his rightful family. The adults should not be allowed to continue to inflict this pain on Skinner’s son & Axel. We ask that someone else be allowed to “purchase” Axel with the sole intent of returning him to the Skinners or that Dep. Garretson be allowed to “gift” Axel to The Skinners without fear of repercussions from Sheriff Chody.  Your Honor, it is with blunt honesty that we say our only concern is Axel being returned to his best friend & “boy”. Axel has served his community with pride & professionalism- it’s time for the community to do the same.