SYLACAUGA, Ala. – After more than 12 years without a K-9 unit, the Sylacauga Police Department is restarting its K-9 program.
SPD will be adding two new furry members to its force in the late spring. SPD was granted the opportunity to obtain two dogs from iK9, Inc. in Anniston free of charge. One is a Black Lab, who will serve as a gun dog assisting in school searches, tracking, and as a public relations tool for the police department. The second dog is a German Shepherd, who will serve as a narcotics dog assisting in patrol, school, and vehicle searches giving SPD the opportunity to cut down on drug traffic in Sylacauga.
According to Sylacauga Police Chief, Kelley Johnson there will be free training for the handler and free equipment for each dog, however the police department plans to spend $1,000 per year on vet and food bills for each dog.
Johnson says sponsorships are available for anyone who would like to help in this effort.
