Blair County Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation
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In 2017, the Blair County Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation was established with the CPCF. The goal of the K-9 Foundation is to help raise funds for vehicle, equipment, training, and care for Blair County’s K-9 officer.
When the sheriff’s office added a police dog to its staff in 2013, it did so with the understanding that all dog-related expenses would be paid by donations and proceeds from fundraisers. No expenses were to be covered by the county general fund supported by real estate taxes.
When the fund was created, the Blair County Sheriff’s Department had a fantastic explosive detection K-9 named Lily. Lily was a decorated U.S. Army veteran with overseas service experience. After being retired from the military, Lily was adopted by the Blair County Sheriff’s Department. Lily was laid to rest in 2018 with a fitting ceremony to honor her service.
K-9 officer Rik, a Belgium Malinois, has taken over Lily’s duties. Rik is also a military-trained police dog trained in the detection of explosive devices, patrol operations, and human tracking.
In late 2018, Rik was unable to work for a while as the department did not have a safe vehicle for which to transport him. Rik and his handler need a vehicle with a temperature monitoring system, so if Rik needs to stay in the car alone, his handler is aware of the car’s interior conditions. Additionally, Rik is transported in a cage that takes up the space of a rear seat and includes a flat surface with grips that maintain dog stability and avoid injury.
By spring of 2019, generous residents and corporations in Central PA raised the $40,000 necessary to purchase a 2019 Ford Interceptor for the K-9 program. You will often see this car, driving around Blair County, with a credit to the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation on its rear bumper.
Share this Story!
Blair County Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation
In 2017, the Blair County Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation was established with the CPCF. The goal of the K-9 Foundation is to help raise funds for vehicle, equipment, training, and care for Blair County’s K-9 officer.
When the sheriff’s office added a police dog to its staff in 2013, it did so with the understanding that all dog-related expenses would be paid by donations and proceeds from fundraisers. No expenses were to be covered by the county general fund supported by real estate taxes.
When the fund was created, the Blair County Sheriff’s Department had a fantastic explosive detection K-9 named Lily. Lily was a decorated U.S. Army veteran with overseas service experience. After being retired from the military, Lily was adopted by the Blair County Sheriff’s Department. Lily was laid to rest in 2018 with a fitting ceremony to honor her service.
K-9 officer Rik, a Belgium Malinois, has taken over Lily’s duties. Rik is also a military-trained police dog trained in the detection of explosive devices, patrol operations, and human tracking.
In late 2018, Rik was unable to work for a while as the department did not have a safe vehicle for which to transport him. Rik and his handler need a vehicle with a temperature monitoring system, so if Rik needs to stay in the car alone, his handler is aware of the car’s interior conditions. Additionally, Rik is transported in a cage that takes up the space of a rear seat and includes a flat surface with grips that maintain dog stability and avoid injury.
By spring of 2019, generous residents and corporations in Central PA raised the $40,000 necessary to purchase a 2019 Ford Interceptor for the K-9 program. You will often see this car, driving around Blair County, with a credit to the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation on its rear bumper.
