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Firing Of Police Canine Raises Questions About Retribution

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Questions have been raised about why the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department took one of its top canines off the street.

The department relieved "Eddie" of his duties earlier this month.

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek isn't commenting on the move, but some believe an exchange caught on camera months ago is to blame.

On a July night, Stanek spoke to more than 100 deputies at a union meeting. Ultimately, he was seeking the union's endorsement as he ran for a third term.

"You have to know I'm proud to serve as your sheriff," Stanek told the group.

The sheriff first took questions on staffing, scheduling and uniforms and then, 20 minutes in, talk turned to department morale.

Ethan Weinzierl, a deputy for 16 years with Hennepin County, had some thoughts to share on the subject.

"There's no other way to put it," he says in the video. "Nobody's bragging about this place as they did in the past."

A K-9 handler eight years, Weinzierl's current dog, Eddie, was considered one of the county's top crime dogs.

For ten minutes during the meeting, Weinzierl went back and forth with Stanek about morale, but also about what he sees as assignments too simple for K-9s, like serving lawsuits.

"I'm not here to uspet you," Weinzierl said.

"You're not upsetting me," Stanek replied. "You're not, honestly."

K9 Cut From Department
(credit: CBS)

Toward the end, Weinzierl says he's sorry for speaking up and jokingly asks the sheriff not to take his dog away for doing so.

"I appreciate what you did, Ethan," Stanek says. "There's no hard feelings between us, I understand what you're saying, but it is a balance all the way around."

But six months after that meeting, the department told Weinzierl that Eddie was done.

The sheriff's office declined to comment about why Eddie was shown the dog door.

Steve Pearson trained Eddie and the rest of Hennepin County's dogs. He calls the decision disappointing, since Eddie has at least five years of service left.

"Some dogs just stick out," Pearson said. "Eddie certainly stuck out. Eddie just gets it. I'm trying not to second-guess anybody and, again, I'm biased, but I think once you have a dog up and running who's in his prime--keep moving."

Pearson says it costs Hennepin County about $13,000 for a trained dog.

We do know another K-9 has been cut from the county.

Weinzierl has filed a grievance in this case. He's now making less money.

He is allowed to keep Eddie now as a pet.

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