Wright City Adding Canine To Fight Crime

The Wright City Police Department will add a canine to its arsenal to assist officers in the fight against illegal drugs.

Aldermen last week voted unanimously to authorize the department to purchase a drug-certified canine that also will be able to perform scent-based search and rescue work.

The total cost to purchase the dog and the necessary supporting items and equipment such as leads, food, bowls, kennel, insurance and other items will be approximately $7,100, according to Police Chief Doug Saulters.

The dog which the department plans to purchase is certified to find marijuana and heroin, as well as ecstacy, which Saulters said is rare, because ecstacy is a difficult scent for dogs to follow.

Additionally, the dog also is trained in “scent tracking,” Saulters noted. That will enable the department to utilize the dog to help find people, such as missing children or senior citizens.

The department has a fund-raising campaign under way to help raise money to offset the cost of the dog.

Donations have been received from a number of individuals and businesses, including:

A & A Towing, MFA, Town and Country Garage, Texas Roadhouse, Baker Boys Plus, Able’s Shell, the Badge Battle flag football game, Jeff Bueltmann and Lillian Randolph.

In addition, State Rep. Bryan Spencer, R-63, also is working to help obtain funds for the project.

Saulters also credited the efforts of Lt. Matt Eskew, who went around the Wright City community working to obtain donations for the project.

“He’s done an outstanding job,” Saulters to the board of aldermen at last week’s meeting.