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Officer James Baker will be the dog’s handler, and they will soon join Officer Jim Loomer and PSD Koda in the K9 Unit.
The police department obtained Chase in December from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and still needs assistance in raising money to cover his training and care.
The K9 Unit is entirely funded through community donations.
“As Chase joins our ranks, we will be able to better serve our community by locating lost or missing persons, locating criminal suspects, detecting illegal drugs, searching buildings safer with fewer officers, protecting our officers and residents from physical harm, and attending demonstrations for local groups, Scouts, block parties and more,” Westport Police Department officials said in a press release.
Police K-9s are essential members of law enforcement and perform vital tasks that humans cannot, such as pursuing and apprehending fugitives, detecting illegal substances and explosives, and searching for lost and missing children as well as Alzheimer's patients.
The Westport Police Department K-9 Unit has been providing these services to the residents of Westport and other towns and agencies within Fairfield County that do not have access to their own Police K-9.
The Trap Falls Kennel Club created an online fundraising page with a goal of $10,500. AKC Reunite, an affiliate of the American Kennel Club, will also provide matching funds of up to $5,000.
All proceeds will benefit the Westport Police Department K9 Unit.
For more information, visit the GoFundMe page “Help Westport PD Obtain K-9 Officer.”
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