CLOVIS (KMJ) — Two new Clovis Police K9s are now sworn in and ready for duty. Jax and Corda were officially welcomed Monday morning after a drive to raise the money needed far exceeded expectations.
“This is an effort that has been only two months in the making, and our objective initially was to raise $75,000 to go for the cost of the dogs, and the training and some of the equipment that’s associated with these particular dogs,” explains Clovis Mayor Bob Whalen.
“In that short period of time the citizens of the City of Clovis as well as the businesses…have stepped up in a big way as Clovis always seems to do. Instead of just raising the $75,000 I think our figure ended up being $136,000.”
As well as donations, funds were also raised through the sale of small stuffed K9s.
Clovis Police Chief Matt Basgall describes says it was a great effort to bring back the K9 program, which had been dormant since 2011.
“I want to give a big thank you to the Clovis community. It’s through their generosity and support that this program really took off. We had members of our community step up in a big way. These little dogs were just fantastic. We sold over 2000 of these little dogs to members of the community.”
The latest four-legged additions to Clovis Police, Jax and Corda, will each be living with their handler and becoming a part of their family.
“It’s the best thing you can be as far as I’m concerned, being a K9 handler,” explains Officer Brent Drum. He is taking on Jax, while Officer Phil Garcia will be Corda’s handler.
The dogs will be used to search for criminals, and provide officer protection. The long-term plan is to continue to grow the K9 program, with an expansion already planned for September.
“So the money that we raised is going towards purchasing the remainder of the dogs to go to the K9 unit,” reveals Chief Basgall. “All those funds, no matter how much we raise, will go strictly to the K9 unit going forward.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
