By Brandyn Wilcoxen
The Southern Illinoisan
BENTON, Ill. — Knox the Dalmatian is returning to the Benton Fire Department after the city council voted in approval the vote Monday, Dec. 23.
Knox had previously been the subject of public uproar after being removed from the fire department earlier this month.
Knox was adopted from an area animal shelter just under two years ago. After being brought to the Benton Fire Department in Feb. 2023, Knox served as the firehouse’s dog in an unofficial capacity for nearly two years.
But because Knox was never approved by the city council, Benton Mayor Lee Messersmith said his presence could be considered a liability for the city, as a city commissioner noted earlier this month.
Knox was removed from the department on Friday, Dec. 13, which sparked much conversation among community members on social media. The council then added an item to Monday’s meeting agenda to officially approve Knox.
The vote during Monday’s meeting was unanimous to approve Knox to be housed at the Benton Fire Department.
Mayor Lee Messersmith said he was presented documents by Fire Chief Shane Cockrum that established an understanding of how Knox would be cared for.
“Everything that’s been discussed among council members and conversations with all of them, I don’t see any issues,” Messersmith said.
(c)2024 The Southern Illinoisan, Ill.
Visit The Southern Illinoisan, Ill. at www.thesouthern.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
