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Mariposa County K9 - photo courtesy Mariposa Co. Sheriff

Sheriff’s K9 Unit Receives Major Donation

MADERA COUNTY — The drive to raise money for the K9 Unit at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office got a big shot in the arm last Tuesday when an angel donor gave over $57,000 to the cause, allowing the S.O. to double their expectations for new deputy dogs.

Board of Supervisors accept check for K9 program - photo Madera Deputy Sheriff's Association

Board of Supervisors accept check for K9 program – photo Madera Deputy Sheriff’s Association

Sheriff Jay Varney and Chief Civil Deputy Mike Motz appeared before the Madera County Board of Supervisors on Apr. 19 to present a check from the Lois L. Johnson Living Trust in the amount of $57,500, which will allow the Sheriff’s Office to purchase four dogs instead of the two they had planned for.

Deputy Motz told the Supervisors that he received a phone call from Bill Myers, administrator of the trust, who said he’d like to sit down and talk about a donation to the K9 program. Myers had seen a story on the news about the fundraising efforts and wanted to help.

“He asked us what our goal was, and said that the news story talked about two dogs,” said Motz. “He wondered if that was enough.”

Motz told Mr. Myers that ideally, having four dogs, with two in the mountains and two in the Valley would allow for one dog to always be on duty in each area, allowing for days off, illness and outside training.

“We estimated the cost and he came back with a check for $57,500,” said Motz. “We were floored. That put us over the top for the four dogs, the training and equipment.”

Motz is the president of the Madera County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which has been raising funds to build out the K9 Unit. Working with J. Carol Realty of Coarsegold, they hosted a demonstration of just what these dogs can do at the Oakhurst Community Park on Mar. 26. They also have a GoFundMe account where the public can donate to the cause.

Madera Co. Sheriff Jay Varney with K9 pal - photo courtesy Madera Co. Sheriff

Madera Co. Sheriff Jay Varney with K9 pal – photo courtesy Madera Co. Sheriff

Sheriff Jay Varney told the Board that when the Sheriff’s Office needs K9 assistance, they have to request it from outside agencies. While those cooperative relationships work well, the delay can put the safety of both the public and the officers at risk.

“Currently we do not have any patrol K9 dogs in Madera County,” Sheriff Jay Varney told the Board, noting that they have one narcotic scent trained dog, which will probably be retired within the next 45 days, as the handler is being promoted to detective, and the dog is of the age where it would not be repurposed to a new handler.

“Historically we prefer to have dual trained dogs – patrol dogs that can do handler and people protection, clear buildings and do tracking, find articles and firearms. Then have a second set specially trained for bomb or narcotics detections,” said the Sheriff.

The onetime expense to start a four dog K-9 program is estimated at between $74,000 and $84,000. The program will be scaled to the donation funding received. Ongoing expenses after the start-up year will include ongoing training, medical care and equipment replacement. The plan is to fund that part of the program from existing Special Department Expense and/or annual donation funding.

Motz anticipates raising about another $25,000, and will return to the Board in May with those funds.

“The existence of a patrol K9 Unit at the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division greatly enhances our agency’s capability to track down, locate and capture wanted offenders in rural and urban environments, and detect illegal narcotics in our communities and schools,” says the Sheriff’s Office. “The employment of K9 assets can greatly reduce safety risks to the citizens and law enforcement officers of Madera County, while increasing our agency’s effectiveness in apprehending criminals and preserving the peace.”

https://sierranewsonline.com/mans-best-friend-is-a-cops-best-weapon/

https://www.gofundme.com/wwsrzdhw

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