VEEDERSBURG — The Fountain County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit is seeking funds for the possible addition of a dog and continuing education, training and maintenance.
Contributions to the program, which launched in 2011 and operates without public funding, have declined and the agency has been working with one dog since the retirement of the second canine last year, K-9 handler Deputy Tyler Bowling said.
Funding comes from grants and donations from residents, businesses and industries.
“We have worked diligently over the past 10 years to keep the K-9 program operating from the donations that our great community has provided us with,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
K-9s are considered a specialty unit, and most police agencies don’t have enough money to maintain such programs after paying officer salaries, equipment and training costs, according to the National Police Dog Foundation.
The department’s dog, a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois named Odin, was brought to the U.S. from Poland to serve as a police dog. He came to the department from Vohne Liche Kennels near Peru.
Odin is a dual-purpose canine certified in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension. He has been deployed on hundreds of drug cases, helped search for missing children and assisted surrounding law enforcement agencies.
The unit also wants to buy a new kennel for Bowling’s service vehicle and has to cover the regular costs of veterinarian bills, food, yearly training recertifications and equipment, such as a harness and bulletproof vest.
Full training costs alone can range from $12,000-$15,000 per dog, depending on the length of classes, according to the foundation.
Those interested in donating to the program can stop by the department at 439 E. C.R. 50S, Veedersburg, or call 765-793-2410 and ask for Nancy during regular business hours.
