New K-9 to join sheriff’s department

With the retirement of Arres earlier this summer, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department found itself in the market for a second K-9.

“We have a dog (female Malinois) reserved,” said Capt. Nick Prey, who oversees the K-9 program. “Training will be in mid-November 2024; dates are not set yet. The master trainer is Tony Pallotta from Toronto, Canada. He puts on his own handler training course.”

In addition to a new K-9, a new handler will also be chosen. Prey said two deputies have applied to be the handler, with interviews held July 29.

While the cost of a K-9 is less expensive than a human officer, it’s not cheap.

“The new dog we have on order is $10,500 for the dog, and a two-week training course for the new handler is $5,000,” Prey said. “Some basic equipment and a protective K-9 vest is $2,500.”

The training never stops, as the state requires a K-9 handler to train at least 16 hours a month.

“A squad kennel is around $5,000, and a home kennel is around $2,000,” Prey said. “We’ve been lucky to get most vet bills donated by Village Vet, and there are businesses that will donate the food.”

SOS K-9 is a local nonprofit organization that assists the sheriff’s department K-9 program. SOS has two main fundraisers, a 9-pin bowling tournament in early February and a golf outing in early August.

This year’s golf outing will be Aug. 3 at the Shawano Lake Golf Course. Registration will open at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11 a.m.

For $75 per person, all golfers will play 18 holes of golf with a cart, have chances to win on six hole events and enjoy a family-style, sit-down dinner following the round.

Non-golfers are invited to stop by the clubhouse to bid on silent auction items and enter raffles. Meal tickets are $20.

Prey said the bowling tournament raises $2,500 to $4,000, while the golf outing raises between $7,000 and $10,000. Donations are accepted at the fundraisers, through the website https://sosk9.weebly.com/support-us.html or by contacting Detective Craig Rekoske at the sheriff’s department.

SOS K-9 Inc. is always interested in new ideas for fundraising and public awareness. Interested individuals are encouraged to send an email to shawanok9@yahoo.com.

The sheriff’s department K-9 program has been around since 1997. Harley was the first K-9, and Greg Trinko was his handler.

Other K-9s have been Benny with handler Tyler Rich, Deano with Rich and Perry, Getty with Rekoske, Cody with Ben Klinke and Nate Thornborrow, Rekon with Rekoske, Arres with Anna Sharpless and Brady Sinotte, and the current K-9, Rascal, with Cody Vigue.

While many people associate German shepherd as police dogs, other breeds are also used. Other often-used breeds include Labrador retrievers, Belgian Malinois, boxers, bloodhounds, American pit bull terriers, beagles, German short-hair pointers, Dutch shepherds and Doberman pinschers.

“Breeds are completely a personal preference,” Prey said. “I will not say one breed is better than the next. Certain breeds are better at doing things than others, but my opinion is that continued training truly makes the dog what it is, and that makes a successful program.”

The Belgian Malinois was developed in the Malines area of Belgium in the 1800s. It stands about 22-26 inches tall at the withers and weighs 40-80 pounds. It has a thick coat about and inch or two long, which ranges in color from yellowish brown to mahogany with black-tipped hairs; the breed typically has a black mask and ears.

“The new dog will be a trained as a patrol dog, which means it will be trained in narcotic detection, tracking, article searches, apprehension and handler protection,” Prey said. “The new dog will not be a cadaver dog.”

Prey said that after the new handler completes the two-week course in Canada, handler and K-9 will be ready to report for duty as a team.

To become a member of SOS K-9, golf in the outing or donate, contact Rekoske at 715-853-4101.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com