BDPD May Soon Have Second Dog Again

(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Police Department may soon have a second dog again. The department recently saw a K-9 officer leave, and because officers and their canine partner have a close bond, the dog went with him. Officer Brad Konkel and his K-9 partner Charlie left the department earlier this year.  

Chief John Kreuziger told the city’s Police and Fire Commission this week that he is in the process of hiring a new officer who just so happens to come with his own trained K-9. While he was not able to provide details on the pending hire, the chief asked the commission if they felt it was necessary to have three K-9 units.  

Kreuziger says he does not anticipate the need for three K-9’s as changing marijuana laws could impact the long-term need. Issues with hard drugs do not seem to be going away and K-9 are also helpful in finding missing persons or tracking suspects. Kreuziger says he would also be open to other training needs like a therapy dog.  The commission agreed by consensus that the department only currently needs two K-9 units. The current K-9 in Beaver Dam, Yeti, is expected to retire in the next three-to-five years; Yeti is partnered with the Officer Kevin Hall. The process of finding and training a K-9 team usually takes six months to one year.