My 2 Cents: Fallen Soldier's Companion K-9 Up For Auction

This story about the Minco police dog now considered government surplus property had us all talking in the newsroom today.

Again if you missed it, Minco police Sgt. Mycal Prince, serving with the Oklahoma National Guard in Afghanistan, was killed in a rocket propelled grenade attack in September of 2011. He left behind a wife, two young daughters, and Bayca, his K-9 partner and buddy.

Bayca had also become part of Sgt. Prince's family, but now that he's gone the City of Minco has to get rid of Bayca.

The family wants her desperately, Sgt. Prince's widow has offered $10,000 for her but the Mayor says by law it can't be done that way, she has to be put up for auction.

It pains me to say it, but you can't just give away something taxpayers have paid for, no matter how "right" it seems.

It would be wonderful if a grateful City of Minco could figure out a way to just gift the dog to the family, but it has to be done on the up and up.

Council members may have found a way to protect their fallen officer's interests, they say the welfare of Bayca will be taken into account when they consider the bids on March 4, and that dog needs that family, moreover that family needs and deserves that dog.