Officials pick up dog

DUNKIRK - Three city officials are on their way to San Antonio, Texas, to pick out this community's first police dog.

Under a special federal program, the Air Force will be donating a trained police dog to Dunkirk. The city will then be responsible for having the dog trained with its new handler, Dunkirk Patrolman Bobby Johnson.

Traveling to Lackland Air Force Base are mayor Ron Hunt, police chief Dane Mumbower and Johnson.

Earlier this week, Hunt said he is paying airfare, hotel and car rental expenses for himself, Mumbower and Johnson.

Earlier this year, city council members balked at a request to pay for the expenses for the officials to make the trip. Following some debate, Hunt told council members that he would take the travel expenses related to acquiring the dog "out of his own pocket."

Hunt said the trio expects to return to Dunkirk on Saturday with the new police dog.

Air Force officials at Lackland will show the Dunkirk representatives available dogs and provide city officials with necessary paperwork to review.

"Once we get to the Air Force base, they'll ... let us meet, play with, and walk the various dogs," Hunt said.

"I think it will be interesting once we get there," the mayor added.

Noting the expense of purchasing a trained police dog, Hunt said, "we appreciate the Air Force giving it to us for the town." Hunt said he expects to return to Dunkirk with a fully capable police dog.

City police will use the dog to detect illegal drugs, along with tracking criminals or the missing.

Once the dog is selected, Johnson and the canine will attend special training classes. Johnson and other members of the police department have already built a facility to house the dog at Johnson's home.

Also a used police car has been donated by Blackford County for use by Johnson and the dog.

Dunkirk Police Department has been collecting monetary donations for more than a year to add a police dog to the force. At a recent city council meeting, it was noted that the department's canine donation fund now totals about $7,000.[[In-content Ad]]