MONROE - Canine "officer" Loki is adding one more project to his list of duties before he retires next year - helping the community raise about $15,000 for his successor.
Loki, a Belgian Malinois now in his sixth year of service, came to work at the City of Monroe Police Department in 2005, according to his partner and handler, Sgt. Dan Maresch.
Loki is looking at retirement next year when he turns 9.
That's rather old for a working dog, for an energetic dog, Maresch said.
"He's a go-getter. That takes a toll on the body," he added.
Loki was recruited through a dog training academy in North Carolina, with funds contributed by several local businesses and individuals.
His duties include tracking, drug searches, evidence searches, building searches and public education about the police canine (K-9) unit.
The K-9 unit in Monroe was started initially for the purpose of tracking missing people, according to Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.
"The drug search capability was just an added bonus," he said.
Loki has been called in to search for missing children, to verify a building has been cleared of people and to find people who were trying to elude officers and an arrest.
Because of his dual-purpose ability, Loki became part of a cooperative group of canine officers in southern Wisconsin that work together during large drug searches, often at schools.
"We move quickly, and it's hard work for the dogs," Maresch said.
As many as 10 canines are needed to do a search at schools the size of Monroe High School.
Because a dog is constantly sniffing during a search, it can cover only about 40 vehicles at a time.
Loki and Maresch normally work the late night shift, because that's when they are needed the most.
But Loki will be on duty today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cousins Subs, 250 N. 18th Ave., to greet the public and to thank them for contributing to the K-9 unit.
He's making Maresch come along, too.
Cousins Subs is donating a portion of its proceeds May 13 to the Monroe K-9 unit.
It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kelley also says to watch for other businesses to join the effort to help Loki retire.
Loki, a Belgian Malinois now in his sixth year of service, came to work at the City of Monroe Police Department in 2005, according to his partner and handler, Sgt. Dan Maresch.
Loki is looking at retirement next year when he turns 9.
That's rather old for a working dog, for an energetic dog, Maresch said.
"He's a go-getter. That takes a toll on the body," he added.
Loki was recruited through a dog training academy in North Carolina, with funds contributed by several local businesses and individuals.
His duties include tracking, drug searches, evidence searches, building searches and public education about the police canine (K-9) unit.
The K-9 unit in Monroe was started initially for the purpose of tracking missing people, according to Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.
"The drug search capability was just an added bonus," he said.
Loki has been called in to search for missing children, to verify a building has been cleared of people and to find people who were trying to elude officers and an arrest.
Because of his dual-purpose ability, Loki became part of a cooperative group of canine officers in southern Wisconsin that work together during large drug searches, often at schools.
"We move quickly, and it's hard work for the dogs," Maresch said.
As many as 10 canines are needed to do a search at schools the size of Monroe High School.
Because a dog is constantly sniffing during a search, it can cover only about 40 vehicles at a time.
Loki and Maresch normally work the late night shift, because that's when they are needed the most.
But Loki will be on duty today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cousins Subs, 250 N. 18th Ave., to greet the public and to thank them for contributing to the K-9 unit.
He's making Maresch come along, too.
Cousins Subs is donating a portion of its proceeds May 13 to the Monroe K-9 unit.
It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kelley also says to watch for other businesses to join the effort to help Loki retire.