A lawsuit has been filed and is seeking class action status against the city alleging unpaid overtime to police K-9 handlers. The lawsuit was filed in federal court and claims the city of Oceanside is violating the Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying officers for hours spent exercising, grooming, and training the dogs.
Working police dogs typically live at home with officers, who allege they are owed overtime at 1.5 times the regular pay rate. Currently, Oceanside police K-9 handlers are paid for four hours a week extra to care for their dogs, an agreement set between the department and the police officers association. But officers say it takes at least an hour a day, or seven hours a week, to perform the necessary duties, which include shopping for supplies, administering medication, and cleaning kennels. The suit also alleges that the extra compensation paid to the K-9 officers is at the regular rate and not 1.5 times the regular rate as required by state and federal law.
