Washington County Club donates $5,000 to Milwaukee County K-9 Unit amid budget cuts

Washington County, WIS. (CBS 58) -- The Kettle Moraine Kennel Club based in Washington County voted to unanimously donate $5,000 to the Milwaukee County House of Corrections struggling K-9 Unit.

Deputies Jason Laird and Michael Smith brought a very young German Shepherd puppy, Riot, along with them to a Kennel Club meeting this week to ask for a donation for their struggling K-9 Unit. Puppy kisses and the story of the House of Corrections training program that struggled as county budgets were being cut was enough for club members to pull out their checkbook and offer more than triple what the deputies asked.

“Their story was so compelling, that our club members decided they had to become a part of the House of Corrections K-9 Unit’s success,” said Jacquelyn Fogel, President of Kettle Moraine Kennel Club. “They use pure-bred dogs and train them to assist not only their own officers in the House of Corrections but other Police K-9 units throughout the area. We first met these guys at our Community dog festival in Slinger Community Park last May when they did demonstrations for the audience.  Their dogs met kids and parents as they walked around the park, then demonstrated how police-trained dogs work in detecting scents and subduing suspects. Part of the mission of Kettle Moraine Kennel Club is to support organizations and people who use purpose-bred dogs in their work and leisure, and this program is a perfect fit. They need to start with well-bred, stable dogs bred with a purpose. The puppy, Riot, is a perfect example of a purpose-bred dog, and we want them to be able to add even more pure-bred dogs to their unit.”

Jason Laird, head of the K-9 unit was nearly speechless when the club offered to donate $5,000 instead of the $1,500 he originally requested. “We don’t know how to thank you enough, he said.” Fogel responded, “Please just keep doing what you’re doing with your wonderful dogs!”

A $5,000 check will be presented to the House of Corrections K-9 unit at Cedar Creek Pet Resort Training Center, 3473 State Rd 60, Jackson, WI on Wednesday, September 27 at 3:00 pm. Anyone who wants to meet some of the dogs and their trainers is invited to attend.

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