K-9 passing brings support in words, money

The good news is that it shouldn’t cost the city of Shawano an arm and a leg to replace Caryk, one of the police department’s K-9s who passed away Aug. 28, according to Chief Brad Rabideau.

The bad news is that the police department won’t be able to go through training with a new dog until next spring due to a lack of available slots for K-9 training, Rabideau said in a report to the Shawano Common Council on Sept. 8.

“This was a huge loss for the department,” Rabideau said. “We are looking at replacing Caryk, but due to scheduling this fall, we’re not going to be able get into a class, so we’re looking at next spring.”

Rabideau noted that the Facebook post the department had about Caryk’s passing had more than 40,000 views.

“The outpouring of support from local and national folks was amazing,” Rabideau said. “It was actually comforting to experience.”

Caryk had suddenly become ill in August and was taken to PAW Health Network in Kronenwetter, where it was discovered that a tumor was growing inside him and causing him to bleed internally. As a result, Caryk had to be euthanized.

Caryk had been partnered with Officer Heidi Thaves for the last seven years, according to a police press release. During that time, Caryk helped to locate missing people, track down suspects and discover illegal drugs that resulted in numerous arrests.

The city has one other K-9, Thor, who works with Officer Jacob Korth and became part of the police department in 2020.

Community support is going to make the city’s financial commitment to a new K-9 very minimal, according to Rabideau.

“We have got a decent amount of donations, and I suspect by next spring, we’ll have the $11,500 needed to replace Caryk and send the officer to training,” he said. “We live and work in a special area. It’s been very heartwarming.”

Rabideau said the department is planning a memorial service for Caryk, but a time and date have not been set, and it has not been determined whether the ceremony will be open to the public or just limited to department officials.

Anyone who wants to donate to help fund a replacement for Caryk can contact Rabideau at the Shawano Police Department, 715-524-4545, or bring donations in person to the police station, 125 S. Sawyer St., Shawano.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com