Urge City of Valley Officials to Retire K-9 Sonic for the Holidays!
The City of Valley, Nebraska, acquired K-9 Sonic in 2021. The young Belgian Malinois from Holland bonded quickly with handler James Deemer. Sonic made himself at home with the Deemer family: he had acres to run while off duty, his own seat at the dinner table, and his own chair in the living room. The pair worked with local and federal law enforcement agencies for nearly three years until Deemer retired in the spring of 2024. Deemer wanted to keep Sonic and even offered to cover the associated costs, but the city denied his request.
Sonic was transferred to another handler, who got fired before they even completed the training program together. While that officer appealed the firing, the city moved Sonic to a kennel facility owned by a K-9 trainer. Torn from his family and deprived of everything that he was used to, this intelligent, athletic, high-energy dog suffered from the impact of continuous confinement. The trainer reportedly told the city numerous times that Sonic was “going nuts” and needed to be removed from the facility, but officials seemingly ignored his concerns. The city did not allow Sonic’s former handlers – or anyone else – to visit him. Finally, after four months, city officials removed Sonic from the kennel, and a veterinarian reportedly found signs that he’d been neglected. His teeth are reportedly damaged from ripping apart the chain link kennels while he suffered severe psychological distress.
Now, Sonic is staying in yet a third and unfamiliar situation and city officials apparently intend to return him to duty (despite his recent trauma). In response to a groundswell of concern from compassionate community members, the mayor released a statement likening Sonic to a “lawn mower” because the dog is an “asset” owned by the city. But the city council has the authority to retire him. PETA has asked city officials to retire and immediately return Sonic to Deemer. If you agree with us, please contact City of Valley officials and ask them to do the right thing. Please keep your message polite and respectful.
Send polite comments to:
The Honorable Cindy Grove
Mayor
[email protected]
Phone: 402-359-2251
Cell Phone: 402-510-5523
The Honorable John Batcher
City Council President
Official e-mail link
The Honorable Melanie Hayden
Council Member
Official e-mail link
The Honorable Jake Lewis
Council Member
Official e-mail link
The Honorable Linda Lewis
Council Member
Official e-mail link
Please feel free to use our sample letter, but remember that using your own words is always more effective.
