Starting with Gusto: Change Comes to the HCSO Canine Unit

Eureka, Ca., (KIEM)- Canine officer Benny is off to chase tennis balls. The British Lab is retiring from his duties as a deputy on patrol in Humboldt County. He’ll now be a permanent member of his partners family.

He leaves behind a vacancy in the K9 Unit the county has every intention of filling. The Sheriff’s Office is getting ready to welcome a 13 month-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois named Gusto.

Gusto is a duel-purpose dog. He’ll be able to detect narcotics (just like Benny, and Correctional Canine Louie). Gusto is also a trained bite dog, which means he can help to apprehend criminals in the field.

Public Information Officer Samantha Karges explains that in Humboldt County’s more rural areas deputies are spread thin. As a result, having the back up of a canine officer in a sticky situation can be helpful.

Most bite-dogs go through careers without a bite on their record, but the training is valuable and expensive. It’s going to cost the sheriff’s office more than $40,000 to acquire Gusto and pay for his training.

For that reason, HCSO is inviting the public to invest in the new deputy. They’re accepting cash and check donations mailed to: HCSO K9 Unit, 826 Fourth St. Eureka, CA 95501.

“He is your dog. His job is to keep your community safe.” Karges says, introducing the campaign title: Safety Unleashed.

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