Ind. Police Dog Shot to Death Being Replaced, Insurance Doesn’t Cover Bill

An Ind. police dog handler who was attacked by his last canine will soon have a new dog.

Officer Jeff Dunscomb’s dog was fatally shot by Tippecanoe County Sheriff Smokey Anderson in July after it bit the officer during a bank robbery investigation. Dunscomb suffered injuries to both hands and was off work for a few days.

Police Chief Dan Marvin told the city’s Police Merit Commission on Monday that if the $9,000 insurance payment for Dunscomb’s previous dog was not enough to buy a replacement, the department would seek grants and donations.

Dunscomb said he planned to pick up the new dog Vohne Liche Kennels near Peru next month and begin at five-week training program with the animal.

“When I go up there, they’ll show us a whole group of dogs, and I’ll pick the one that’s best for what we need,” he said.

John Polles, the merit commission’s president, suggested that something be done to honor the previous dog, named Fonske.

Dunscomb, who had been attacked two other times during his 2-1/2 years with Fonske, suggested a plaque listing the dog’s accomplishments, including numerous drug seizures and helping catch about 25 criminal suspects.