Fundraising efforts underway for K9 purchase, training

Fundraising has begun for the purchase and training of a new dual purpose K9 for the Mills County Sheriff’s Office.

The office’s current K9, Monte, recently underwent surgery to repair a knee injury. The 5-year-old Dutch Shepherd had been serving as a dual purpose dog – assisting with narcotic identification, criminal apprehension, tracking and handler protection. Monte will now be restricted to only doing narcotic identification in an effort to prolong his life and service to the sheriff’s office.

The new K9 will serve as a dual purpose dog and will work and reside with Monte’s current handler, deputy Josh England. Deputy Asa Mather will take over Monte’s handling duties after the new K9 comes aboard.

England said $17,000 is needed to purchase and train the new K9 and equip a second sheriff’s office vehicle with a dog cage.
Several fundraisers are being planned. “I support Mills County K9 Unit” T-shirts and beverage koozies can be ordered through the Joe Designer store in Glenwood or from the sheriff’s office.
On Thursday, March 3, El Porton restaurant in Glenwood will be having a special fundraising dinner with proceeds going to the K9 purchase.

A four-person best ball golf tournament is scheduled for May 22 at the Fairview Golf Course in Malvern. Cost is $180 per team. Raffle tickets are being sold in conjunction with the golf tournament. Raffle prizes include a rifle, a pair of handguns, a bow and a Yeti cooler. Tickets are $10 apiece, six for $50 or 12 for $100. The raffle drawing will take place at the golf tournament.

To make a donation or obtain additional information about any of the fundraisers, contact England at 712-520-3536 or Mather at 712-527-4337.

Additional information is also available at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, located at 600 Industrial Dr. in Glenwood.