Bloomfield releases police dog to its former handler
Kyle Davis reunited with former partner Jax
BLOOMFIELD — After more than two months apart, former Bloomfield police officer and canine handler Kyle Davis took newly retired police dog Jax home Monday night.
The Bloomfield Police Department asked the city to release Jax from service and into Davis’ care after the City Council denied the department’s roughly $11,000 request to cover narcotics and patrol training for the dog and a new handler.
“I believe it is the humane thing to do,” City Manager George Duncan said.
The City Council unanimously approved the request during its Monday evening meeting. The decision means Bloomfield no longer will have canine officers, and Davis and his family will be reunited with Davis' former on-duty partner.
While Davis was Jax’s handler, the dog lived at Davis’ house. Davis said his children played fetch with Jax.
“My kids are just as excited as I am,” he said.
The city was concerned about the cost of training a new handler, as well as the time it would take for an officer and Jax to go through two five-week training sessions.
Immediately after the meeting, Davis went with Bloomfield police Sgt. Josh Calder, who had been caring for Jax, to pick up the nearly 5-year-old Belgian malinois and take him home.
“He was with me every day for two years,” Davis said before going to pick up his dog.
Davis left to work at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office nearly three months ago, leaving Jax without a handler. He said he had visited Jax several times since he went to work for the Sheriff’s Office.
Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.