Private pets working as public K-9 officers while supported by private donations. #TheOzzieSaga

A reader tipped me off as to the description of a fundraiser for Ozzie the alleged police dog in Delaware County, New York.

The following information so far emerged about the new celebrity of Delaware County, NY, the Ozzie dog, through media articles, press releases and other reputable sources:


1)  A German shepherd by the name of Ozzie is allegedly "employed" by Delaware County  (New York) Sheriff's Department and regularly participates in drug-related arrests;

2) The Delaware County does not have provisions for Ozzie in its budget, and instead

3) Delhi Animal Hospital (an institution that handles controlled substances that Ozzie is trained to sniff out) allegedly provides free vet care for Ozzie; I am not saying Delhi Animal Hospital is involved in drug-smuggling, I am just saying that it is theoretically possible, thus making financial support from Officer Ozzie of "Officer Ozzie" inappropriate.  Free vet service of "Officer Ozzie" also prevents verification through FOIL requests of any injuries incurred by "Officer Ozzie" if "Officer Ozzie" would attack or kill somebody's pet or even a person.  Very convenient. 

4) a Delhi store "Tractor Supply", a store handling large amounts of cash that can easily be turned into a drug money laundering operation allegedly provides food for Ozzie;  I am not saying "Tractor Supply" is involved in drug-smuggling, I am just saying that it is theoretically possible, thus making financial support from "Tractor Supply" of "Officer Ozzie" inappropriate;

5) Ozzie's "handler" (and owner?) police officer John Demeo provides for the board of Ozzie and will have Ozzie "after retirment"  (Ozzie's or Demeo's - is not clear, but whichever retires first, I guess); 

6) Ozzie's "handler" John Demeo is being compensated by Delaware County for training Ozzie and for Demeo's own training of how to handle and train Ozzie.

7) a local Walton, NY restaurant, another entity that handles large amounts of cash runs fundraisers to further provide for the "care" of Ozzie;  and a "spaghetti dinner" fundraiser gathers $28,000 in ONE DAY in Walton, NY, a ghost town known only for - guess what - its drug dealers?  An interesting coincidence.  And a very clear possibility that drug dealers invented a new way of bribe-giving to local police officers - through fundraisers.  Not too smart though.  A private fundraiser to finance a public police drug enforcement program stinks to high heaven to any reasonable person outside of the "realm" of Delaware County;

8) reportedly, a recent state grant of $40,000 given to Delaware County was returned to the state, but instead a private donation fundraiser is run to provide for Ozzie.  That is easily understandable, since there is no requirement to account for funds from a private donation, while there is to account for the use of funds from a state grant.  And numbers are close... 

This whole Ozzie saga is so bizarre that more information is needed, and I will sure try to get information from tight clutches of Delaware County records clerk Christa Schafer.

Right now it clearly appears that Delaware County, without any appropriate authority, pays Demeo for using his own pet in criminal drug stings, and that businesses that have a direct interest for non-investigation on behalf of local drug authorities, are privately financing police operations in Delaware County.  The implications of such a sweet deal is obvious.  

If private donors stop donations, Ozzie does not eat.

Thus, Ozzie's handler Demeo is well advised not to investigate donors - ever, no matter what they do.

That's the whole reason to NOT allow police operations to be financed by private donors.  

I will verify through FOIL requests the particulars of "Officer Ozzie's" employment with Delaware County and will publish Delaware County's responses, whatever they are going to be.

Stay tuned.