K-9 Program 
In the past, the Cottage Grove Police Department has requested the assistance and response of K-9 dogs from other agencies when the situation has warranted it. In the last few years, this has averaged out to approximately 40 times per year. Additionally, each year there are numerous incidents and non-emergency situations where a K-9 dog would have been used if easily accessible, and did not borrow a valuable resource from another agency; however our officers became reluctant to call on this resource unless absolutely necessary. This situation made it clear that the Cottage Grove Police Department needed its own K-9 Dog.
In January of 2006, a presentation was made to the Cottage Grove City Council and the Cottage Grove Crime Prevention Board, where the St. Paul Police Canine Foundation offered the Cottage Grove Police Department the opportunity to acquire a K-9 dog and participate in the Spring 2007 K-9 patrol certification course. Since, the Cottage Grove Crime Prevention Board has been raising money for the K-9 and helping the Cottage Grove Police Department prepare for its arrival.
How will the K-9 be used?
The police officer and K-9 partner will:
- Search for lost persons
- Search buildings
- Assist in apprehending fleeing suspects
- Provide crowd control
- Locate lost articles or evidence
- Apprehend criminals
- Participate in citizen program demonstrations
Costs
Initial cost estimates for the K-9 Program:
Cost for the K-9 Dog and the Patrol Operations Certification Course made available by the St. Paul K-9 Foundation. This is an $8,500 value. | $3,500 |
| Narcotics Certification Course | $550 |
| Veterinary costs | $500 |
| Kennel - Cement slab, dog house & fence enclosure at officer's home. | $1,700 |
| Non Vehicle Equipment such as bite sleeve, leashes, etc. | $500 |
| Take home squad with radio, computer, rifle, etc., and equipped for K-9 use ~special cage, rear seat flooring, remote door release, etc. | $35,250 |
K-9 Body Armor | $1000 |
Total Estimated Cost | $42,000 |
Additional Information
Blitz, Cottage Grove's first K-9 was purchased from the St. Paul Police Canine Foundation, an independent non-profit organization. He is from Slovakia or the Czech Republic, where dogs are more commonly bred as working dogs rather than family dogs.
Blitz and his partner Police Officer Mike Vandervort are currently attending a 14 week
K-9 training program at the Timothy J. Jones Training Center. The training is sponsored by the St. Paul Police Canine Foundation, and is certified by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). The USPCA was formed in 1975 and is the largest police services organization of its kind in the United States. The purpose of this organization is to certify police service dogs on patrol and detector work. Over the 14 week period, they will receive training in agility, obedience, tracking, building searches, evidence recovery, and suspect apprehension. Officer Mike Vandervort and his partner are expected to be working patrol by this summer!
Make a Donation
Although we have made great progress in achieving our funding goal, we still have a long way to go. Please support this valuable program by making a tax-deductible cash donation. To donate, please complete the donation form below.
- Current $10.00 Donation Special
Donate $10.00 to the K-9 Fund and receive a Cottage Grove Police K-9 Pin - Donation Form
