ohmidog!

How bad is the economy? So bad even dogs are getting laid off.

On top of the ill effects dogs undergo when their guardians lose their jobs and homes, some dogs are getting pink slips, too.

Last week, the Mason County Commission in West Virginia voted to ask the sheriff to send two of the departments three police dogs packing, citing the need to save on labor costs.

The county says a recent settlement requiring it to pay deputies who handle the animals for expenses related to the dogs, even when the deputies are off-duty, led to the shortfall. The dogs will be removed from the department as soon as possible, the commission president said.

Dogs enjoyed a huge increase in employment opportunities after 9/11, when concerns about homeland security led to a high demand for dogs trained to sniff out explosives, cadavers, live humans and more. With today’s the sagging economy, and local governments being pinched for funds, I wouldn’t be surprised if we begin hearing more tales like this one.