Sheriff’s office deputies are looking to put some more teeth
– the sharp kind – into their work. The Deputy Sheriff’s
Association is doing so by pursuing a second K-9 unit through
fundraising and the local members have netted about $6,000 of the
$10,000 needed to buy, train and equip another German shepherd as a
deputy.
HOLLISTER
Sheriff’s office deputies are looking to put some more teeth – the sharp kind – into their work.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Association is doing so by pursuing a second K-9 unit through fundraising and the local members have netted about $6,000 of the $10,000 needed to buy, train and equip another German shepherd as a deputy.
Once on board, the new K-9 would become the office’s second dog on duty while joining Deputy Dix, who is handled by Deputy Kip Bowen and has been with the county for about five years. The goal in getting a second dog is having one working each day.
Deputies and Sheriff Curtis Hill are keen on gaining better K-9 coverage because the dog provides a “valuable asset” for many situations such as entering dangerous buildings, sniffing for narcotics and chasing down suspects, the sheriff said.
Hill recalled the fight at Pancho’s in July when crowds spilled into the street and noted how deputies used the dog as added protection.
“It’s kind of ‘the party is over’ signal,” the sheriff said.
With budget times so tough, however, the county hasn’t had the funds to buy a second one, so that’s where the deputies stepped in.
They are well on their way to the goal by raising funds at such recent events as the Gavilan Kennel Club show and Dog Days of Hollister. The kennel club also has donated $1,500 to the cause through annual $500 gifts the past few years.
Once they get to their goal, deputies will officially donate the K-9 to the county – an effort that Hill lauded because he pointed how it’s something “they didn’t have to do.”
Deputies association President Marc Williams said the group has had some success so far by gaining support from some local organizations which the DSA has helped out in the past through its own charitable efforts. He noted how those interested in donating to the cause can do so by getting in touch with Williams or Sgt. Scott Becker by calling (831) 636-4080.
