While the Howard County Sheriff’s Office continues raising money to re-establish its K9 unit, the Cresco Police Department’s K9 unit has begun training.
According to a Cresco Police Department Facebook post, their K9 tandem of Sergeant Blake Welper and canine, Emmlylou, recently completed week one of their 200-hour Basic Handlers Course with Tree Town Kennels in Forest City. CPD says that training puts Emmylou on schedule to begin working as an in-service K-9 full time in October.
According to Tree Town Kennel Facebook posts, they are also currently training K9 units from the Garner, Janesville, Cedar Falls and Lake Mills police departments, plus the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.
Meanwhile, fundraising efforts have surpassed $11,000 for the Howard County Sheriff’s Office to relaunch its K9 program that was discontinued over 25 years ago. Deputy Ben Hillyer, who will be the dog’s handler, says startup of a K9 unit is roughly $30,000 to $35,000.
Hillyer says about 95% of that funding will come from donors.
According to the Sheriff’s office, the rise in drug trafficking along Highway 63 over the past decade has brought about the need to have their own K9 unit once again.
