BEATRICE - With the loss of the Gage County Sheriff's Office K-9 handler to a new job, the county board Wednesday approved selling the department's drug detection dog named "Buster", to Deputy Colton Bebensee for $250.

The Belgian Malinois is about half-way through his service life as a K-9 officer in drug detection and has lived with Bebensee. The officer is taking a deputy position with the Sheriff's Department in Washington County, Nebraska.

The Supervisors held lengthy discussion about the dog as a county asset, purchased through private donations and budgeted for, through the county. County Attorney Roger Harris said the dog can be sold as surplus property, by law.

http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/06/K-9-Sale1.mp3

:15 "their bucks"

There was debate whether the dog could be matched with a different handler in another department. Gage County Sheriff Millard Gustafson says there is no other officer within his department to take over as a handler.

http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/06/K-9-Sale2.mp3

:21 "that's there"

Beatrice Police announced recently that they are adding a second K-9 to their force and did not have a need for the county's K-9.

The Board's vote to offer the dog to Bebensee for $250 was 5-1, with Board Chairman Erich Tiemann voting no.

http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/06/K-9-Sale3.mp3

:22 "at this"

Board member John Hill felt "Buster" should first be offered to other law enforcement agencies that may need a K-9 that has gone through training. Other officials like Supervisor Gary Lytle are not sure the dog would be effective with another handler.

http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/06/K-9-Sale4.mp3

:26 "be done"

Sheriff Gustafson says he had not included the K-9 program in his budget for the coming year, with Bebensee leaving the department.