DARLINGTON - The Darlington Police Department plans to have a canine unit by the end of the year.
Police Chief Jason King said the department raised about $20,000 to purchase the dog and pay for an officer to attend training since the city council approved the idea in October 2009. Of the money raised so far, King said, all but about $7,200 was raised by individuals or community groups.
The department has a need for a dog unit, he said, because the police department uses the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department's dog more than any village or city in the county. In the past seven years, the Darlington police department's used of the sheriff's department's canine officer was about 37 percent of all dog unit calls in the county, King said.
Having its own dog will save time in the event of an emergency, he said. A few minutes can mean life or death for someone who is lost in cold weather, Kind said.
"The dog can start tracking immediately instead of having to wait for another canine unit. If the sheriff's department dog is someplace else, we might have to wait 45 minutes for another dog," he said. "Having a dog of our own will allow us to start a search more quickly."
The sheriff's department dog is on duty during the day. Darlington's canine unit would be on duty at night. King said the two units would compliment each other.
"The canine units would be available for Darlington area residents on a more regular basis," he said.
James Johnson, Darlington Police officer, will take a six-week handler's course in October. Johnson and the dog will begin their duties in November.
Although the department has $20,000 for the program, about $7,000 more is need, King said. He and the police department plan to work with people and groups to help raise the necessary money for the program.
Anyone who wants to donate to the police department's canine fund can contact King at (608) 776-4981.
Police Chief Jason King said the department raised about $20,000 to purchase the dog and pay for an officer to attend training since the city council approved the idea in October 2009. Of the money raised so far, King said, all but about $7,200 was raised by individuals or community groups.
The department has a need for a dog unit, he said, because the police department uses the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department's dog more than any village or city in the county. In the past seven years, the Darlington police department's used of the sheriff's department's canine officer was about 37 percent of all dog unit calls in the county, King said.
Having its own dog will save time in the event of an emergency, he said. A few minutes can mean life or death for someone who is lost in cold weather, Kind said.
"The dog can start tracking immediately instead of having to wait for another canine unit. If the sheriff's department dog is someplace else, we might have to wait 45 minutes for another dog," he said. "Having a dog of our own will allow us to start a search more quickly."
The sheriff's department dog is on duty during the day. Darlington's canine unit would be on duty at night. King said the two units would compliment each other.
"The canine units would be available for Darlington area residents on a more regular basis," he said.
James Johnson, Darlington Police officer, will take a six-week handler's course in October. Johnson and the dog will begin their duties in November.
Although the department has $20,000 for the program, about $7,000 more is need, King said. He and the police department plan to work with people and groups to help raise the necessary money for the program.
Anyone who wants to donate to the police department's canine fund can contact King at (608) 776-4981.