Onalaska police begin fundraising campaign for second K-9 officer

Police in Onalaska are preparing to get a second K-9 officer, thanks in part to a generous grant from a local family.

The White family visited Onalaska City Hall on Tuesday to present police with a check for $15,000, which is just about enough to purchase a second police dog. The donation was made in memory of a family member named Corey, and future contributions for the K-9 program will go to Corey’s Fund.

Police Chief Charles Ashbeck says just the one dog they have now, named Muri, is not sufficient for all the investigations where animal help may be needed.

“An officer can’t detect the smell of heroin or methamphetamines, but a canine can,” Ashbeck said. “And often times, that canine that’s called to that traffic stop, they’ll detect that and be able to search the car, get those drugs off the street, and make that arrest.”

Ashbeck says T-shirts and toy dogs are among the souvenirs being sold to raise the total $110,000 goal to train and keep another K-9.