CPD Sells Former Officer’s K-9

***UPDATE 5 P.M.***The Columbia Fraternal Order of Police released a statement Wednesday evening saying the city inaccurately reported the sale and handling of Fano.The CPOA says the city was given documentation and evidence that showed it was unlikely Fano could be retrained and paired with a new handler after Rob Sanders. They also say an offer of $10,000 and full reliability release was presented to the city 18 months ago, but the city did not accept it.Also, the CPOA states that Fano was not in the possession of a department officer like Columbia police say he was, but rather kenneled in Cape Girardeau. The group states it cost the city about $8,000.00 to kennel Fano there for 17 months.***ORIGINAL STORY***The City of Columbia has sold the police dog handled by former officer Rob Sanders.The Columbia Police Department confirmed Wednesday that Fano was sold to the Clarence Police Department for one dollar. Sergeant Joe Bernhard says the dog was not sold to Sanders because of liability concerns over the dog’s training. Sources tell ABC 17 News that the city has paid about $8,000 to kennel Fano since firing Sanders.Fano has been boarded with the city’s canine handler since Sanders was fired in August 2011 for using excessive force on an inmate.CPD says they originally wanted to train another officer to handle the dog, but due to staffing shortages, another officer has not been trained and there are no plans to train anyone.Sgt. Bernhard says the continuing costs of boarding Fano led CPD to move the dog to another police department. The purchase price of one dollar was decided upon due to the city’s “finance rule regarding surplus.”