CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. – The Cortland County Sheriff's Department will soon be equipped with a second K9 unit, thanks to help from the town of Cortlandville.
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Every year, the town sets aside $20,000 for special projects for the sheriff's department, according to town supervisor Richard Tupper.
The first K9 was purchased by the town for the department in 2013. The town has also purchased high-powered rifles to replace shotguns that are now equipped in all patrol vehicles, as well as tasers for deputies.
Stock photo of a German shephard
Tupper says many road patrol officers from the department spend a majority of their time policing his municipality.
"Because of our commercial and industrial properties, they spend about 75 to 80 percent of their time in Cortlandville," Tupper said. "They're constantly on call in our town, so it's a very inexpensive way for us to have first-class policing in our town."
Tupper says it costs around $12,000 to purchase a K9, plus the costs of training officers to handle the dog.
At the Cortlandville Town Board meeting Wednesday, Cortland County Undersheriff Herb Barnhart thanked board members for their efforts.
He says the dog is currently being trained and will serve as a critical asset to law enforcement.
"They say one dog is worth about 10 deputies," Barnhart said. "If I could teach him to drive and type, I'd have it made."
Tupper says as long as the town can afford to help the department without it affecting the tax rate, they will continue to set aside funds for local law enforcement.
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