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Sheriff’s department sees outpouring of generosity for K-9 program |
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Wednesday, February 27 2008 |
By CHRIS MEYERS
Staff writer
With the donations coming in steadily, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department has high hopes that its proposed K-9 program will be up and running by the end of the year.
So far, businesses and residents have given “anywhere from $5 to a few thousand dollars,” according to Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges.
All the money needed for the program hasn’t yet been received, and deputies will continue to canvass the area in hopes of securing the needed donations.
One donation came in the form of a two-and-a-half-year-old male German Shepherd. Once trainers determine if the dog can be trained as a police dog, it will also need to get a clean bill of health.
Helping in that aspect will be the Line Street Veterinary Hospital, which has offered to give free care to the K-9s when the sheriff’s department gets them.
“We’re very appreciative of the quick response with the donations we have received,” Hodges said.
With one dog possibly on the roster, the department will still have to work toward getting enough money for a second K-9 unit.
“We still have the goal of two dogs. Having multiple K-9s will help in scheduling and call-outs,” Hodges said.
If both K-9s become a reality, one would be on second shift from 2 to 10 p.m. and one on third shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., creating some overlap.
Another reason for trying to get two dogs is to make sure one would always been available even if the officers are off-duty.
Tentative plans are set up to have the city’s K-9 officer, Tim Pittenger, and deputies Todd Cook and Jason Spencer work out a schedule for who would be on call when off-duty.
Another possible plan of attack could see both the county’s K-9s on at the same time for patrols specifically related to drug enforcement, much like the special patrols occasionally set up to search for drunk drivers or seat belt infractions.
“We need to begin more enforcement with drug interdiction,” Hodges said, adding that U.S. 30 and 33 would be zones for higher enforcement.
Pittenger said he has made several arrests because of searches done with his previous K-9 partner, Barco.
“With Barco, I had several narcotic arrests in searches of vehicles and homes,” he said, adding that on several occasions, Barco was able to find hidden compartments in homes where drugs were located, but had been missed when searched by officers.
But it’s not just the opportunity to find illegal material, it’s also the potential to prevent crimes that attracts officers to the K-9 program.
“Having the K-9 visible deters many criminals from wanting to flee or fight,” Pittenger said.
There’s also the bond that can be formed between the officers and the K-9s.
As Pittenger said, “It’s a partner that will be with you 24/7 and won’t call in sick.”
The cars Cook and Spencer currently drive for patrol would be used with the K-9s after being altered to keep the K-9s separate from anyone placed under arrest in the car, and to clearly mark the vehicles as having the dogs in them. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, February 27 2008 )
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