Le Sueur County to get new K-9

The Le Sueur County Sheriff's Department has had a K-9 deputy for many years.

When Kane, the latest K-9 retired after 10 years along with his handler Dave Struckman, the county has been without a K-9 deputy since the end of April.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason asked the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners if his department could keep the tradition of having a K-9 deputy.

"We would like to continue that tradition," Mason said to the commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 5 during the County Board meeting in Le Center.

Mason said having such a resource is a huge asset to the county not only thru public relations but working with officers on drug crimes and an assortment of other law enforcement activities.

Kane was purchased from a breeder in Nicollet more than a decade ago. K-9 to 6.

Mason said it would be most cost effective to deal with the same breeder instead of looking elsewhere for a German Shepard.

Many agencies have purchased K-9s from other countries, something Mason would rather not do.

The cost for the K-9 puppy, which was recently born, 10 training sessions, and 6-8 months with a handler would be $5,000.

The sheriff's department has received a donation of $2,500 and has money left in Kane's budget to make the initial purchase.

Mason did say down the line there would be additional costs like certification, handler schools, and training before the K-9 would be ready for regular shift work.

"I think it is a good program," Commissioner Steve Rohlfing said.

The process of getting a dog ready to become a working officer is 18-months.

Mason said this new K-9 probably wouldn't be ready until early 2020 so he wanted to get the process started as soon as possible.

The County Board unanimously approved the...

To see more on this story pick up a print edition of The New Prague Times, Montgomery Messenger, Lake Region LIFE or The Elysian Enterprise.