Sheriff’s Office K-9 Program Sees Boost in Donations
Left, Dr. Robert Forbes, DVM (left), Deputy Daniel Wachowiak and Baco (center), and Dr. Sarah Novak, DMV (right) at the Stevens Point Animal Hospital. (Contributed photo)
For the City-Times
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office Canine Program fundraising effort received a boost, thanks to two local businesses.
The Copps Grocery Store, located at 1500 Pinecrest Avenue in Stevens Point, hosted a three day- ice cream float sale. According to Dairy Manager Dan Eiden, that under taking netted over $758.
The Stevens Point Animal Hospital, located at 1305 Wildwood Drive in Stevens Point, raised money from donations made by their customers, which were then matched by the business. They announced that their donation total would be $1293. This means that the total combined donation was $2051.75, which
all goes directly to the K-9 program. The Sheriff’s Office currently operates one K-9 unit on patrol, with a second one to be deployed in the spring of 2014.
“I’m especially pleased and grateful for the generosity of both the Animal Hospital and Copps, as well as that of their customers and staff,” said Sheriff John Charewicz. “Thank you to all of you.”
The dogs are supported by community donations and fundraising efforts by supporters and employees of the Sheriff’s Office. The dogs themselves cost
in excess of $15,000.
The K-9 teams are capable of handler protection, building searches, drug detection, searching for lost or fleeing people, and a whole host of other duties.
They have become an invaluable tool in law enforcement, and are available to any police agency county-wide and beyond.
There is currently another fundraiser that is sponsored by the Dunkin’ Donuts at 3100 Village Park Drive in Plover. For $10, customers will receive a coupon sheet worth $20 in free food and drinks, as well as $1 off fuel purchases and a free car wash. These coupons can be purchased at Dunkin’ Donuts or at the Sheriff’s Office.
The K-9 program is always in need of funding, and citizens interested in more information or in donating to the program are encouraged to call the Portage County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 346-1400, or visit our web page, http://www.co.portage.wi.us/sheriff/operations/K9Unit.html.