
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992                   TAG: 9203190270
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STAFFORD                                LENGTH: Short

DEPUTY'S DOG DUTY REWARDED

A former deputy sheriff in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties has been awarded nearly $30,000 in back pay for time he spent caring for his police dog during off hours.

George E. Truslow, who left law enforcement in 1990, filed suit against both sheriff's departments Aug. 8. He contended that he should be compensated for off-duty time he spent feeding, exercising and cleaning up after his dog.

A federal judge ruled last month that Truslow was entitled to back pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. But it wasn't until late last week that attorneys found out how much Truslow would get.

U.S. District Judge Richard Williams ordered Stafford to pay $10,037, while Spotsylvania has to dish out $19,903. The total includes an hour of overtime pay per day, damages and attorney fees. Supervisors in both counties were told about the decision Tuesday.

H. Clark Leming, Truslow's attorney, called it a fair decision. Truslow was seeking pay for two hours a day, but Leming said one hour was about the average time the K-9 officers who testified last month spend taking care of their dogs.

by CNB