Bartholomew County sheriff to add a second police dog

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is planning to add another police dog.

Bartholomew County Commissioners signed off on the request to purchase the dog this week, awarding a bid to a Michigan company.

Capt. Brandon Slate with the sheriff’s department presented the request saying that the dog would be the second serving in the department, after the retirement of police dog Jari in July of last year.

Slate said that the department requested bids for a dog and training package and received three proposals. He recommended they accept a $16,500 bid from FMK9 from Berrien Center, Michigan that would include the purchase price of the dog, training for the handler and lodging during the training. The package also comes with a two year warranty for the dog’s health and a training guarantee.

Sheriff’s department police dogs are trained in narcotics detection, building search, article/evidence recovery, handler protection and apprehension.

Commissioners approved the recommended proposal.

Photo: Retired Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department police dog Jari with evidence from a 2021 arrest. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.