Dunn K-9 unit in tug-of-war between former handler and police department

A K-9 unit with the Dunn Police Department is the subject of a tug-of-war between his former handler and the department.

Pac-Man, a 7-year-old K-9 officer with the Dunn Police Department, received social media attention after residents learned the dog had been staying at a shelter since November.

The Dunn Police Department said that while Pac-Man was in the shelter, he had his own kennel and was well taken care of by the staff.

Pac-Man is now living with his new handler and is ready to go back to work, according to Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson.

The sit-in was organized by the K-9’s former handler, Sgt. Nathan Ingram and many people showed up before the meeting started at 6:30 to voice their support for the K-9.

While Pac-man is with a new handler, many residents feel Dunn police should let the dog retire.

Pac-Man’s supporters also started a GoFundMe to help the police department get a new dog.

“This is about Pac-Man,” Victoria Lee said. “We have money to get a new K-9 with training, so you tell me what’s going on.”

Jackson said Pac-Man is a working dog, not a pet, and the cost for Pac-Man’s replacement would be $9,000, which doesn’t include training the dog and other care-related costs.

Dunn City Council did not make a decision on what to do with Pac-Man, but Lee said she plans to lead a protest at 3 p.m. on Saturday to demand the retirement of Pac-Man