by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
The Sauk Rapids police received a new police canine last week. The new dog, a German Shepherd, was purchased through Performance Kennels in Buffalo, Minn. Performance Kennels will also handle the training of the canine and handler, Officer Matt Bosma. The training has not yet occurred.
The current police canine, Storm, also a German Shepherd, will retire on Jan. 1.
The new canine does not have a name yet, but both Pleasantview and Mississippi Heights Elementary School students will be submitting two independent lists of name suggestions to the police department. The department will have the final say on the name.
Narcotics and obedience training will take place in February, during the course of 10 weeks. Total cost for the canine and training is quoted at $13,500; $2,275 has already been donated to the project from individuals and organizations and the city has been notified of $4,700 in additional donations which should be coming in to help with the cost. Eventually, the whole cost is expected to be donated.
