Prairie du Chien Police Department fundraising for K9
Tony Pallotta, of Working K9, Toronto, Canada, showcases the young Belgian malinois puppy that has been earmarked for the Prairie du Chien Police Department. Officer Casey Cox will receive pictures and videos of the young K9 as he grows and trains to become an officer of the law. Once he’s at least one year old, the K9 and Officer Cox can go through one week of training together. (Submitted photo)
The Cabela’s Campfire Committee has provided the Prairie du Chien Police Department a kickstart to its campaign for a new K9 unit. This initial amount will allow the down payment to be made on the K9, while the goal is to raise $70,000 toward the full purchase, training and perpetual care of the dog. Pictured, last week, the Campfire Committee presented the check to the police department: (front row, from left) Jim Hunt, Sona Ellis, Holly Gilberts, Marissa Clark, Kay DeLanzo, Deborah Green, Meriam Walter; (back row) Brendan Devine Meyer, K9 Handler Casey Cox, Sergeant Kyle Teynor and Chief Chad Abram. (Photo by Correne Martin)
The Prairie du Chien Police Department received a kick start last week toward its fundraising efforts for a K9. Chief of Police Chad Abram, Sergeant Kyle Teynor, and Officer Casey Cox received a check for $2,791.66 from the Cabela’s Campfire Committee to begin the implementation of a K9 unit for the department.
The Campfire Committee and employees of Cabela’s, along with police department employees, have raised funds over the last 12 months to support this donation.
“Community partnerships like these are the corner stones for embedding trust and enforcement relationships within the community in which we serve,” Abram said.
The police department is in the beginning stages of re-introducing a K9 program within the department. Over the past few years, drug trends in Prairie du Chien have continued, and having a K9 on staff would greatly impact the effectiveness of traffic stops used for drug interdiction, Abram noted. It would also simply deter the local drug culture. In addition, a K9 resource is beneficial for community events and efforts for fundraising and awareness of the need for an animal shelter in the community.
The fundraising campaign goal is to raise $70,000 toward the purchase and training of the dog and the officer selected as the handler. Three-year policeman Casey Cox was the only department officer who expressed interest in the new duties. The dog, a Belgian malinois, will come from Working K9, owned by Tony Pallotta, of Toronto, Canada. Videos and pictures of the puppy will be sent to the police department as he grows and trains. Once he’s at least one year old, the K9 and Cox can undergo one week of training together, at which time the K9 can officially become an officer of the Prairie du Chien Police Department.
Money will also be used to purchase and equip a dedicated K9 squad car needed to transport the K9 and ensure a safe environment while being kept and transported in the vehicle. Other funds are needed for maintenance of the K9, including veterinarian visits, food, continued training and boarding supplies.
Chief Abram is looking for additional donors and has applied for grants seeking funding resources. Large contributions could result in sponsorship emblems on the K9 squad car to recognize the partnerships created and maintained throughout the life of the K9. Naming rights for the K9 would also be considered if a substantial donor came forward in support of the program. The police department, in partnership with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, has created a 501c3 fund to allow for tax deductible donations to be made.
“Over the past several years, I have been asked many times when the police department would get a K9, and now is the time. The recent passage of laws and rulings by the United States Supreme Court creates an urgency to have a K9 on staff and the ability to respond to not just drug activity but tracking opportunities in efforts to find lost or missing people,” Abram said.
To donate toward the Prairie du Chien Police Department’s K9 program, contact Chief Abram, Lieutenant Terry Sprosty or Sergeant Kyle Teynor at 326-2421.
