Maine County to Indemnify Handlers Who Bring Police Dogs Home

Police dogs that work for the Cumberland County (Maine) 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