The Knox City Police Department is within $1,000 of being able to add a K-9 to its ranks. Police Chief Harold Smith told the board of works Wednesday their cost has dropped from $16,000 to $13,000 for the dog and training for Officer Chad Dulin.
Smith says that’s because the city and county have purchased a total of four dogs. Currently the city has $12,000 in donations in the K-9 Fund.
The Knox Police Department will be selling pulled pork sandwiches at this weekend’s Bass Lake Festival to raise money for the K-9 fund.. They will also have a booth for donations at next month’s Yellowstone Trail Festival in Hamlet. A similar effort during the Starke County 4-H Fair brought in $2,500.
The dog will be trained in tracking and drug detection.
Donations to the Knox City Police Department K-9 Fund can be dropped off at city hall or at the police station. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to raise money for the dog and its expenses.
Arrangements have been made for food and veterinary care donations for the dog after it is acquired.
Contact Knox Police Chief Harold Smith at kpd442@cityofknox.net or Dulin at kpd446@cityofknox.net or 574-806-7520 with any questions.
