Atherton Loses Police Dog Lotty in Tragedy Atherton, posted by St. Francis of Assisi, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Dec 22, 2011 at 5:28 am
I was very sad to learn that Atherton Police Dog Lotty died recently due to ingesting a poisonous plant.
This is a terrible thing to happen to any living thing. I also know Atherton spent a great deal of money acquiring, training and maintaining this service dog, in addition to extra salary paid to her handler, Officer Dean DeVlugt.
I would like to know whether Lotty ate this poisonous plant while "on duty" or "off duty"?
I'm not aware of any such wild plants in Atherton backyards. If she did this while "off duty" with her handler, I think greater care should have been taken by Officer Dean DeVlugt to prevent this.
Posted by Concerned, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Dec 23, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Having just read the newspaper article on this topic, I share St. Francis' concern. Although I doubt the officer did this on purpose, the vet in that article is quoted as saying it's basic pet ownership knowledge to keep dogs away from these plants. Yet the officer landscaped his backyard with them? It seems like incompetence at work. How much did Atherton spend on this dog and its upkeep? I certainly hope the next dog gets a new handler. This officer certainly has had more than his share of controversy, by the way.
Posted by Lesson lerned, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Dec 23, 2011 at 8:17 pm
If the Town's Canine Officers can not provide safe care for a very expensive public asset (and living creature) then he should not be getting paid for failing to do so. I hope that he is not given another chance to show such negligence with yet another dog. The County has a Canine Unit at the ready should the service be required here in Atherton--no need to risk another life or to throw more good money after that which has been badly wasted.
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