by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
The city of Sauk Rapids retired one K9 and welcomed another at the Jan. 11 city council meeting.
The incoming police canine, named Thunder after a naming contest was held at both Pleasantview and Mississippi Heights Elementary Schools, was a ball of energy at the council meeting. He hasn’t completed all of his training yet, and so he isn’t as disciplined as he will soon be.
Thunder is a German Shepherd/Malinois cross. He was purchased through Performance Kennels in Buffalo, Minn. Performance Kennels will also handle the training of the canine and handler, Officer Matt Bosma.
Total cost for the canine and training is quoted at $13,500; about half has been donated already. Eventually, the whole cost is expected to be donated.
The outgoing police canine, Storm, a German Shepherd, retired officially on Jan. 1 after 10 years of service. His handler was Sgt. Brent Bukowski, who adopted him after Storm retired.
Sgt. Bukowski runs alongside Storm, his K9 partner.
Officer Matt Bosma shows Thunder to City Administrator Ross Olson in the government center. Officer Alex Wegner looks on.
