Dexter, Missouri - The Dexter Police Department is pleased to announce they will be re-establishing the K-9 Unit.  The department is currently undergoing a fundraising campaign to pay for the dog as the general revenue does not fund this cost.

The Dexter Police Department is fully committed to aggressively fighting the methamphetamine epidemic in our city, and keeping our youth safe in our schools," stated Chief of Police Trevor Pulley. "The K-9 will be a great asset to our department for tracking and apprehension, narcotic detection, building searches, crowd control, and handler protection. The K-9 will be available for appearances, presentations, and other public relation situations."

The K-9, of European bloodline, will be purchased and trained by a licensed professional in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The K-9 will be qualified for dual propose, which refers to K-9 training and abilities in narcotics detection, tracking, criminal apprehension, handler protection, building searches, area searches, crowd control, and article searches. Not every dog is capable of being a police K-9, but by using imported dogs, this saves time, money, and guarantees the dog selected will have the highest qualities needed to perform the job of a police K-9 and serve the citizens of Dexter.

The cost of one K-9 will be approximately $20,000. This cost involves the purchase of the police K-9 and the initial 8-week training program that trains and certifies the police K-9 for the street. The K-9 will be housed with the handler when not on duty. The department must also provide an outside shelter for the K-9. This shelter will include a metal roof, chain link sides, a wooden floor, and a dog house. For the most basic model of a shelter of this kind, the average price is $1,000-$1,500. We feel it is essential to provide the police K-9 with the adequate housing to not only protect him/her from various elements, but also provided the comfort he or she deserves when off duty.

Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the Dexter Police Department (305 Cooper St., Dexter, MO 63841.

Please note on the check that you wish for your donation to go toward the K-9 fundraiser. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information on donating, please contact Chief Trevor Pulley at trevor.pulley@dexterpd.com or (573) 624-5512.