PORTLAND, Maine—Police dogs that work for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department can once again go home with their handlers while off-duty rather than having to be kept in commercial kennels.
Sheriff Mark Dion had ordered the kennel placements because of liability issues. After a German shepherd bit a newspaper carrier in Auburn in 2006, insurers refused to cover a $7,500 liability claim against the deputy who handled the dog.
County officials agreed Thursday to indemnify the handlers if they are sued for anything the dogs do while off-duty.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
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