SODA SPRINGS — When officer Tyler Scheierman leaves the Soda Springs Police Department next spring for a position with the Idaho State Police, he will be taking “Tex,” his K-9 partner for the past four years, and a dog with which he admits he has forged a close bond.

    “I am kind of attached to him,” Scheierman said. “There is definitely a bond that has been created. It’s a bond that goes both ways.”

    That bond is something that is typically forged between a K-9 and his officer handler. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a K-9 officer to be retired with the departure of the officer with which the dog has worked.

    Scheierman, who has worked for the Soda Springs Police Department for about five years, four of them with Tex, said he sought out the position with ISP for the career growth possibilities it provides. He’s also looking forward to spending the bulk of his time in the area of police work he most enjoys.

    “I’m looking forward to getting out to the interstate and working more traffic,” Scheierman said. “It’s my favorite part of the job. I really enjoy working traffic.”

    Tex joined the Soda Springs Police Department in 2009, and was purchased for $4,500. The department also spent an additional $6,000 on training. That training, Scheierman said, was for both he and Tex.

    Scheierman also said that the money used to for the dog’s purchase and the training were drug funds the city had seized, not taxpayer dollars.

    Although he’s been hired by ISP, Scheierman won’t start working for them until late March and still doesn’t know where in Idaho he will be located once he does start. But he didn’t want to wait until the last minute to find out if he would be able to take Tex with him. So, Scheierman went to the Soda Springs City Council to get permission to purchase Tex from the city.

    Soda Springs Mayor Kirk Hansen said the City Council heard testimony regarding K-9s and the extent to which they bond with their handler.

    “There was some discussion about keeping the dog and trying to get a new handler, but based on the experts we spoke to, it was decided that it wouldn’t be a good idea,” Hansen said.

    The decision then came down to just how much Scheierman should pay for Tex. According to the minutes of that Sept. 19 meeting, one expert placed the value of Tex at between $1,500 and $2,000 because of his age. That expert was uncertain as to how much he should be priced as a pet, however.

    Once City Council member suggest Scheierman had been a valued employee and that $500 should be all the city asked. Another suggest the city should be reimbursed $2,500.

    A motion was finally made and seconded to sell Scheierman the dog for $500. With two vote yes and two voting no, it came down to Hansen to break the tie and he voted no.

    In doing so, according the minutes, Hansen said he felt the dog was worth more. Scheierman offered to pay $1,500.

    A motion to sell Tex to Scheierman for $1,500 was made and seconded and that motion passed by a vote of 3-1.

    “It was a good decision based on the fact that the dog being trained by another handler probably wouldn’t work out,” Hansen said.

    The mayor also said the city currently has no plans to replace Tex, but may look at doing so in the future.

    Scheierman said he is isn’t bothered about having to pay $1,500 for Tex, and has no ill feelings about having to purchase the dog.

    “Basically I am paying $1,500 for a pet,” Scheierman said. “But it’s better than leaving him behind.”