Horicon City Council Approves New K9 Unit For PD

9/27/17 – The Horicon City Council last night approved a new K9 unit for the police department. After nine years with the department, current K9 Dusty will be retiring in January. The cost of a new dog is estimated at $9500 but no taxpayer dollars will be needed. The department has secured $6500 in donations so far and is fundraising for the remaining $3000. Horicon Police Lt. Russell Saunders says a K9 is an important tool in fighting drugs in the city. He says that drugs are a growing problem and Horicon is situated in such a way along Highway 33 that it is a corridor for transporting illegal substances. Saunders notes that a K9 is also great for public relations. A new kennel has been chosen for Horicon’s K9 but a specific dog has not yet been selected. The new K9 handler will be Officer Brandon Mantych. Current K9 Officer Jeremy Johnson will remain on the force but will no longer be a K9 handler.  No word yet on when the new dog will hit the beat but Saunders anticipates that it will not be long after Dusty’s retirement on January 2.