The Dexter Police Department is seeking donations for the approximately $20,000 it needs for the re-establishment of a canine unit.
"It's an expensive program, but it is a needed program," explained Dexter Police Chief Trevor Pulley. " ... It's a very necessary tool for law enforcement and the community."
The police department, Pulley said, is "fully committed to aggressively fighting the controlled substance problems in our area and keeping our youth safe in our schools."
Pulley said the canine will be trained in narcotics detection, handler protection and "tracking people we deal with in our line of work."
The dog, he said, also will be available to assist in ensuring the safety at the Dexter public schools.
"It's such a big tool for the safety" of the students and citizens of Dexter, said Pulley, who stressed it is not going to be a "bite dog."
The department has been without a canine since 2013.
City officials, according to Pulley, have been "very gracious to allow us to" re-establish the program.
"We're in the first stages" of raising funds, Pulley said. " ... We are actively taking donations."
The department, he said, already has received donations from individuals, as well as businesses, such as First State Bank & Trust, Battles Storage Auto & More and Harry Blackwell Dodge.
On Wednesday, Pulley said, the Peking Chinese restaurant donated 50 percent of all its proceeds to the re-establishment of the program.
"They donated $3,000" on Thursday," Pulley said. The money reportedly came from the restaurant's proceeds, as well as a donation jar.
Pulley expressed his thanks to the restaurants' owners, as well as the citizens, who dined there Wednesday or left a donation in the jar.
The owners of Peking are "very good people. ... We have very good citizens in Dexter who are helping us with this endeavor," said Pulley, who also offered his thanks all the businesses and individuals for their donations.
Pulley said he already has been in contact with the trainer, Mike Ervin, about the canine unit.
"He's someone who trains the dogs for the surrounding areas (and) is known to produce very good canines," Pulley explained.
Located at Cape Girardeau, Ervin trains the dogs for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cape Girardeau Police Department and other area departments, Pulley said. Ervin will train both the canine and its officer/handler.
The $20,000 cost includes the purchase of the dog and the initial eight-week training program that trains and certifies the canine for the street, Pulley said.
The canine, according to Pulley, is a German shepherd and already selected for the department.
Along with the training, Pulley said, the department also must provide an outside shelter for the canine.
That shelter will be a "very nice" one, with heat and air, but "it's not an every day shelter," Pulley said. "It's for when the canine is outside; it will be mainly inside with the handler and his family" when off duty.
"This canine is going to be treated as an officer," said Pulley. "It is an officer. It will have all the equipment it needs for protection" and whatever else is needed to do its job.
The department, Pulley said, is asking for donations to ensure the canine is "well equipped and taken care of for its entire career."
Pulley said the department will soon begin the process of selecting a handler.
"I'm hoping to get everything in order by the first of the year," Pulley explained. "The hope is to start training my officer with the canine in February. That is what I'm wanting to do."
Once the canine completes its training Pulley said, it also will be available for appearances, presentations and other public-relations situations.
Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the Dexter Police Department at 305 Cooper St., Dexter, Mo., 63841. All donations are tax deductible.
Please note on the check whether it is to go toward the canine fundraiser.
For more information on donating, contact Pulley at trevor.pulley@dexterpd.com or 573-624-5512.
"Any donation will be greatly appreciate to the canine program," Pulley said.